A journal employee was honoured this week for his role in gaining pardons for First World War soldiers shot at dawn for battlefield offences.

Sub-editor George Macintyre has been battling for 15 years on behalf of the 306 British, Irish and Commonwealth servicemen - some as young as 17 - shot for disciplinary reasons.

The soldiers, including seven Durham Light Infantrymen and eight Northumberland Fusiliers, were finally given pardons, when the Armed Forces Act 2006 became law on Tuesday.

In recognition of his role in the campaign George was presented with a Brian Boru Harp by the Irish Shot at Dawn campaign.

George said: "This award is for everyone who has helped out on the Shot At Dawn campaign over the years."

Coordinator of the Irish Shot at Dawn campaign Peter Mulvany praised George's "significant contribution".

The harp was presented, on behalf of the Irish campaign, by Journal Editor Brian Aitken.

He said: "George's passion and commitment to the Shot At Dawn campaign were apparent to me from the first day I met him. It is thanks to his persistence that these soliders have never been forgotten."