New moves to win a pardon for soldiers executed in the First World War are welcomed by the family of a Keighley victim.

Private Henry MacDonald was shot for desertion on November 4, 1916. He had left his station to return home to see his pregnant wife at their Wellington Street home.

This week his grandson Harry MacDonald said he was delighted at a motion calling for a 'Millennium Pardon' for all those executed.

Craven councillors on Tues-day gave their unanimous backing to the motion, which so far has won support from 87 local authorities. It was put forward by Wear Valley district council, from County Durham.

Harry MacDonald told us: "This motion has been long overdue and I would like to see it passed. I think it would be a very good thing if it could be done in time for the new millennium.

"There should be compassion and I believe that most people in this country would agree with the pardon."

The family has been campaigning for 12 years for a posthumous pardon for Henry MacDonald.

In January last year Harry proudly unveiled his grandfather's name on the Keighley roll of honour at a ceremony beside the town's cenotaph, following a crusade by the Keighley News and its readers. But the soldier has still not been officially pardoned.

At this week's Craven council meeting, Cllr Robert Heseltine told colleagues: "One can only imagine the horrors that went on and that these men and women, when called upon, went forward and fought for the country. The horrors of war is beyond what's reasonable for any individual. I forgive those people straight away. We must forgive instantly but never forget the sacrifice they made."

Local authorities expressing support for the motion have been asked to write to Prime Minister Tony Blair and Secretary of State for Defence, George Robertson.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.