Pardon delivered to 'deserter's' gravesite

A Bluff man will deliver a pardon to his second cousin's gravesite this week and hopes it will bring closure to a 90-year-old shame.

Spencer Morrison will visit the grave of Victor Morrison in Belgium on Anzac Day to deliver the pardon, The Southland Times reported today

Victor Morrison was the last man to be shot for desertion during World War 1.

Just before departure, Mr Morrison said he expected the trip to bring "absolute closure" for his family, who had been fighting to clear their relative's name since 1996.

Victor Morrison was among 300 British and Commonwealth soldiers pardoned by the British government last November.

Mr Spencer Morrison said he would deliver a waka huia - similar to a treasure chest - to his cousin's gravesite with the pardon in it on Wednesday.

Mr Morrison will also visit the gravesites of five executed New Zealand and Australian soldiers.

- NZPA