Breaker Morant Blog

Lieutenants Harry ‘Breaker’ Morant, Peter Handcock and George Witton –Medals for meritorious and loyal service

Desecendant of George Witton, Brian Turley, received service medals from Jim Unkles, Nov 2021

https://www.google.com/url?rct=j&sa=t&url=https://www.9news.com.au/national/breaker-morant-and-boer-war-soldiers-to-receive-military-medals/0dbbd953-4da4-48ea-a7b2-

Bathurst Newspaper article- medals

The Australian_02-11-2021_Main_AustralianVIC_p6 (1)

http://militaryhistorysocietynsw.blogspot.com/2021/11/lts-harry-breaker-morant-peter-handcock.html

https://www.contactairlandandsea.com/2021/11/08/breaker-morant-trio-issued-service-medals-120-years-late/

Background

In service of the the British Empire, the Australian colonies offered troops for the war in South Africa. Australians served in contingents raised by the six colonies or, from 1901, by the Australian Commonwealth.

The Australian colonies had volunteers serving in contingents. About 25,000 Australian served in the war.

The war is also remembered for the controversial trial and execution of Lieutenants Harry Breaker Morant, Peter Handcock and the imprisonment of George Witton for shooting Boer prisoners.

On 27^th of February 1902, Lieutenants Harry ‘Breaker’ Morant and Peter Handcock were executed,  George Witton was imprisoned  Historians have claimed these men were used as scapegoats for the political interests of British Military Commander, Lord Kitchener and his political masters. Evidence has emerged these men were not tried and sentenced according to law and advocacy continues to have this injustice addressed.  A House of Representatives motion tabled in 2018 by Scott Buchholz, MP on 12 February 2018 highlights this. The motion expressed sincere regret and apology to the descendants of these men for the manner in which Morant, Handcock and Witton were treated.  The Motion stated:

‘sincere regret that Lieutenants Morant, Handcock and Witton were denied procedural fairness contrary to law and acknowledges that this had cruel and unjust consequences; and

sympathy to the descendants of these men as they were not tried and sentenced in accordance with the law of 1902’.

Scott Buchholz’s address to the House is compelling:

In addition to increasing fiber intake make sense to cialis without rx pop over to this website use these as a supplement anyway. All buying cialis online look at more info the effects and side effects are the same disease or two disorders related to a common continuum. online viagra pills Sometimes you may not be able to get erection is the culprit which ruins a happy relationship. The current times can rightly be called as the innovative sale generic tadalafil era of sexual supplement for men and women. ‘Lieutenants Morant and Handcock were the first and last Australians executed for war crimes, on 27 February 1902. The process used to try these men was fundamentally flawed. They were not afforded the rights of an accused person facing serious criminal charges enshrined in military law in 1902. Today, I recognise the cruel and unjust consequences and express my deepest sympathy to the descendants’[i]

 Service Medals

There is also another aspect that has emerged about the service rendered by Morant, Handcock and Witton.  I am pleased to announce on behalf of the descendants of these men, recognition they rendered loyal and exemplary service to the Colonial Contingents during the war is recognised with the presentation of service medals.

Australian and British authorities no longer issue medals for service in the Boer war; however replica medals can be sourced for descendants once details of service are confirmed. There is no impediment that prevents such medals being issued to the descendants of these men.

Details of Service

Morant from Renmark served as a volunteer with the 2nd South Australian Mounted Rifles during the Anglo Boer War (1899-1902). His service was meritorious and loyal.  He was commended by his CO for his service to the Regiment.

Morant held the rank of Lance Corporal and promoted to Sergeant during his service in South Africa. Morant eventually also served in British Contingent, the Bushveldt Carbineers.  During his service he was commended for the capture of notorious Boer Commander, Kelly.

Handcock from Bathurst joined NSWs Mounted rifles and deployed to South Africa 17 January 1900 and served for 12 months. His service was meritorious and loyal. He then joined the Bushveldt Carbineers as a Lieutenant on 21 Jan 1901.

Witton from Victoria joined 4th Victorian Imperial Bushmen as a Corporal, went to SA on 1 May 1900. His service was meritorious and loyal.  He also joined the Bushveldt Carbineers as a Lieutenant on 1 June 1901.

Medals were recognised for Lt Witton’s service. One of his descendants’ Mr Brian Turley celebrated Witton’s service to 4th Victorian Imperial Bushmen occurred on 1 November 2021 (pictured).[ii]

Presentations to the descendants of Lts Handcock and Morant to follow.

James Unkles

www.breakermorant.com

[i] House of Representatives Hansard 12 Feb 2018, Scott Buchholz, MP

[ii] https://www.google.com/url?rct=j&sa=t&url=https://www.9news.com.au/national/breaker-morant-and-boer-war-soldiers-to-receive-military-medals/0dbbd953-4da4-48ea-a7b2-9d5b715f0977&ct=ga&cd=CAEYACoUMTA4MDk1MTI3OTU2NTg0MDk0NzcyGjk2OTUxZDJiODZkZjdhMjk6Y29tOmVuOlVT&usg=AFQjCNEs5nxXdqm8uamjKiHyKMUbs-IBUg

Recently I was interviewed to discuss the case for review.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIpOT4F4zSs&t=15s

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James Unkles – Breaker Morant – YouTube James Unkles is a military and civilian lawyer who began researching the ‘Breaker’ case in 2009 and had serious misgivings about the legality of the trials o… www.youtube.com

Work is progressing steadily to complete and publish a book on the life and death of Breaker Morant and his two comrades, Lieutenants Peter Handcock and George Witton.  This enthralling book will expose the conspiracy that has prevented justice being delivered to their descendants and lack of moral turpitude of successive British Governments to instigate an independent judicial inquiry into how these men were treated, the secrecy that surrounded their arrest, trial and sentencing and deception inflicted by the The formulation comes as white milky powder and is insoluble in water however freely soluble in canadian pharmacy levitra most organic solvents as well as oil. If the impotence is caused by psychological problem, cost levitra the doctor may refer the patients to psychologists who in turn help partners to ease their psychological inconsistencies. These herbal supplements should be consumed two times daily, either with milk or the pure water for viagra buy usa djpaulkom.tv four months. VigRX Plus is brand cialis getting popular and popular day by day. British Government and Military Commander, Lord Kitchener on the Australian Government and its people of 1902.

This work will draw on fact and evidence about Breaker’s life and his execution along with Peter Handcock and will debunk myth and self serving claims of those who seek to prevent the truth from being exposed and justice delivered. A book of military and legal history about a chapter of Australia’s first war and the controversy that continues to this day!

 In 2013, the documentary, ”Breaker Morant the Re Trial” was made for Foxtel’s History channel.  Notwithstanding the success of the film, it became a defining moment in the history of the case for a judicial inquiry.  James Unkles had the privilege of interviewing a number of leading Australians who had studied the evidence that Lieutenants Morant, Handcock and Witton had not been afforded due process, investigated, tried and sentenced according to law of 1902.

The Australians interviewed for the documentary were:

• Geoffrey Robertson, QC, international and respected jurist and human rights lawyer;
• Robert McClelland, former Australian Attorney General;
• Alex Hawke, MP;
• Greg Hunt, MP, Minister for Environment and Heritage;
• Tim Fischer, former Deputy Prime Minister;
• Sir Laurence Street, former Chief Justice for NSWs;
• Gerald Nash, QC;
• Alexander Street, SC, now Federal Court Judge;
• David Denton, QC;
• Dan Mori, lawyer and former Officer, USMC (now resident in Australia).

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These distinguished individuals were interviewed and were unanimous in their views that this case needs independent and transparent review by a judicial inquiry.  Extracts of their interviews appear on the site, breakermorant.com and the word transcripts are attached to this blog post.  They make compelling viewing and reading!

I am of the view that the opinions of those interviewed make a faultless case for an independent inquiry so this controversial case can be put to rest!

James Unkles with Greg Hunt, MP                  James Unkles & Tim Fischer,

James Unkles with Robert McClelland, MP

James Unkles interview with Geoffrey Robertson, QC

After decades of controversy surrounding the case of Australians, Lieutenants ”Breaker” Harry Morant, Peter Handcock and George Witton tried by the British military for war crimes in the Boer War, 1902, an exciting and compelling book backed by the resources of an international publisher, is being authored by James Unkles, military lawyer and Neil Pigot, award winning actor, documentary writer and presenter.

The book is an exciting, crisply written and intriguing exploration of Morant, a man who has captivated generations of Australians and brings to light newly unearthed documentary evidence to prove that he was not only who he claimed to be but that he was, in fact, a “Scapegoat of the Empire”.

The book will be popular history that reads like a novel, fast paced with short chapters, the book will not be bogged down in extraneous and trivial speculation, but presenting the facts as a clear and engaging narrative.

Unlike other books on the subject, this expose will be based on fact and credible research devoid of speculation and self-serving rhetoric.  It  focuses on who Breaker Morant was, his history, his relationship with Peter Handcock and George Witton and the manner in which they were treated by the British military.

It will culminate in the detail of the case for judicial review focusing on the manner in which these men were unlawfully tried, convicted and sentenced, that resulted in the execution of Morant and Handcock and the sentencing of Witton to life imprisonment.

The book also focuses on the dedicated work of James Unkles, his exhaustive research into the Morant story, both from a legal and historical point of view.  His dogged determination to secure posthumous justice for these men and their descendants is revealed as he has pursued pardons for Morant, Handcock and Witton which culminated in a petition being delivered to the Queen in 2010, having his case supported by the House of Representatives Petitions Committee and battling Governments to appoint an independent inquiry, a campaign that continues to this day.

The book highlights the principle that the passing of time and the fact that Morant, Handcock and Witton are deceased does not diminish errors in the administration of justice. Injustices in times of war are inexcusable and it takes vigilance to right wrongs, to honour those unfairly treated and to demonstrate respect for the rule of law. How we respond to this case remains a test of our values and is vitally important to the descendants of Morant, Handcock and Witton and those who respect the rule of law and seek justice.  In the eyes of the law and the Australian community a wrong is never diminished by the passing of time and it is our duty to put it right.
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The book will be of interest to anyone who wishes to understand how three Australian bushmen, volunteers who sought adventure and support King and Country came to pay the ultimate price for the sins of their British superiors and caused a legend to become part of the Australian psyche of injustice and history!

The reader will not only come to understand the legend, but will judge whether these men were rightly treated as criminals or scapegoats of the British military who suffered a gross injustice that remains to be corrected.

Authors, Jim Unkles and Neil Pigot in Archives, Pretoria doing research and at the Pretoria cemetery at Morant’s and Handcock’s grave (2013)

Following a Screen Australia board meeting, Sydney independent production company, Film Projects, is proud to announce that their documentary series entitled Breaker Morant – The Re-Trial is now in pre-production. http://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/news_and_events/2012/mr_120817_doco_approvals.aspx http://www.tenterfieldstar.com.au/story/236367/tenterfield-to-feature-in-breaker-morant-retrial/?cs=1514 The 2 x 60 mins series tells the story of the greatest military controversy in Australian history, the trial and execution of Harry “The Breaker” Morant and Peter Handcock. It was commissioned by Foxtel’s History Channel along with international co-partner Sabido Productions inSouth Africaand will screen in 2013. “We’re delighted that this epic story is finally going to be told as a documentary,” said Gregory Miller of Film Projects who is also the film’s Co-Director/ Producer. “Most people know the story through the movie, but there’s a lot more to it than that. This series picks up where the film left off.” “The series will also exploreAustralia’s contribution to the Boer War and why it has become the “forgotten war.” It was the first conflict in which Australian soldiers left these shores en masse and fired a shot in anger. Federation took place in the middle of the war and the events that followed was the first test of Australian nationhood.“ Co-Director Nick Bleszynski, who also authored the history of Morant, Shoot Straight You Bastards!, added, “This film has been 110 years in the making.  There were doubts about the fairness of the trial as soon as the news reachedAustralia and the court of public opinion has never been satisfied.” “This series will pull no punches and is shaping as a major TV event that will live long in the memory.” The historical aspect of the story will be intercut with the contemporary legal campaign to get justice for Morant, Handcock and Witton, the third accused who spent two and a half years in a British prison after his death sentence was commuted. Military lawyer Jim Unkles has built a legal challenge to the original convictions and sentences and Breaker Morant – the Re-Trial will capture a rare moment of living history through the cross-examination of historians, legal experts and the presentation of compelling new evidence. Unkles said, “The series will examine the controversial trial and sentencing in detail and the refusal of the current Australian Government and Attorney General to support the case for review and assist the descendants of these men to get justice. It is my contention that serious legal and procedural flaws denied these men due process and I intend to put that to the test and that will be a focus of the documentary ’ Breaker Morant – the Re-Trial will be shot in Australia, South Africa and theUK and will feature historical re-enactments of key events and unseen archive material.

                 
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Two photos of many, filming for the documentary in 2013, Jim Unkles with lawyers, Dan Mori, David Denton, QC and Jim at archives in Pretoria