men from the British Expeditionary Force and many others wounded or missing. Highgate's death was used as a disciplinary tool for the army. General Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien said that he "should be killed as publicly as possible". Men from the 1st Battalion, Cheshire Regiment and 1st Battalion, Dorset Regiment witnessed the execution in person. Highgate's death was also publicised in the army 'Routine Orders'. According to the diary of General Smith-Dorrien, two men were executed on 7 September, one for plundering and another for desertion. Putkowski writes that the date must be a mistake on Smith-Dorrien's part, as the recorded execution was most likely Highgate, and there is no evidence of a man being shot for plundering on that day. A notice in the Sidcup and District Times on 23 June 1916 reported that Highgate had been killed in 1915 and had fought with the East Surrey Regiment. Michael Hankins, a local historian in Sidcup, speculated that this report was incorrect because Highgate's family were attempting to change the truth. In Soldiers Died in the Great War (1921), Highgate is listed as having died of his wounds—Putkowski notes that this is unusual, as soldiers who had been executed by firing squad were not usually included in these volumes. Memorial The names of soldiers executed for crimes including cowardice and desertion were not likely to appear on war memorials, and the memorial in Shoreham, Highgate's hometown, did not bear his name when it was erected. In 1999, some people in the village—including the vicar and padre, Reverend Barry Simmons—argued that his name should be included. The proposal was opposed by the Royal British Legion. A vote was held among members of the British Legion; the result was split at 14 for, 14 against, and two abstains. In March 2000, the British Legion was in the process of restoring the memorial, which provided an opportunity to add Highgate's name. Revered Barry Simmons believed the villagers should decide, so a vote was held for the 1,700 residents of Shoreham to decide whether Highgate's name would be added to the memorial. 79% of people were in favour (170 voted for, 46 against), but the local councillors voted 4-3 against the decision. The council wanted to wait to see if the government pardoned men who were shot for desertion before adding Highgate's name. A gap was left on the memorial in case his name should