Morant article in the Western Advocate 30 Aug 21

Background

Harry Harbord Morant, (born 9 December 1864 as Edwin Murrant) at Somerset in England.i

Morant moved to Australia in 1883 and initially worked in Queensland. He later moved to South Australia and lived in Renmark and Adelaide.

Morant served as a volunteer with the 2nd South Australian Mounted Rifles during the Anglo Boer War[ii], (1899-1902). The contingent consisted of 8 officers and 113 other ranks, commanded by Captain C J Reade, and arrived in South Africa on 25th February 1900.

Morant held the rank of Lance Corporal No 37 and promoted to Sergeant during his initial service in South Africa. After serving for 12 months, he completed his contracted service with the Mounted Rifles and travelled to England. His service qualifies for his name to be recorded on the Adelaide Memorial as the Memorial was created for those men who enlisted in South Australia for service in South Africa.  Morant satisfied that requirement.

Morant eventually returned to South Africa and volunteered for service in a mounted infantry regiment, the Bushveldt Carbineers that had been formed and commanded during February 1901 by an Australian, Colonel Robert Lenehan. It was an irregular British Corps (not Colonial) created by British Military Commander, Lord Kitchener to combat the tactics of Boer commandoes.[iv]& [v] Morant enlisted as a commissioned officer (Lieutenant) of the BVC on 1 April 1901. The Bushveldt Carbineers were renamed to the Pietersburg Light Horse on 1 December 1901.[vi]

During his service he, and Lieutenants Peter Handcock were charged and convicted of military offences of summarily executing Boer combatants. They were executed.  Doubts remain to this day that he was not tried and sentenced according to law of 19801

Morant should be added to the Adelaide Memorial because:

• He resided in South Australia at the time he volunteered to serve and joined 2nd South Australian Mounted Rifles, a South Australian Unit, not a British Unit;
• He served in the Boer war, was promoted and commended for his service;[i]
• Morant’s service with the 2nd South Australian Mounted Rifles was exemplary. He was not cited of breaches of military law;
• His service has been recognised by the National Boer War Memorial, the Australian War Memorial and other State Memorials. His inclusion on the Adelaide Memorial would ensure consistency in acknowledging his service;
• The recognition by the AWM is significant and should be followed by the Adelaide Council;
• The fact that his name was not included when the Adelaide Memorial was unveiled on 6 June 1904 does not mean he was omitted because of his conviction and execution for military offences committed while he served in a British Unit. His omission has been identified and should be rectified;
• The policy of the AWM about managing Rolls of Honour and Commemorative Rolls is taken very seriously in ensuring they record the sacrifice made by Australians in war and on military operations. The policy applies to the Boer War and the AWM invites submissions about amendments and additions;[ii]
• There is no specific policy or directive from the AWM that states veterans convicted of military or civilian offences should not be recognised on war Memorials or Plaques.
• In the spirit of the AWM’s policy, the Adelaide Council should add Morant’s name and the names of other volunteers identified by the South Australian Boer War Association to the Memorial. Alternatively, if this is not physically possible, another Memorial/Plaque could be constructed in Adelaide to honour the volunteers, including Morant.

Shop at area heat far from moisture content in addition to these herbal pills, you need to consume healthy and balanced diet and make lifestyle changes. viagra purchase uk There is no requirement buy cialis online for sedation in this process. Men and their partners are often very concerned with the subject of erectile and sexual dysfunction, and many buy viagra cheap people are not able to afford brand medicines, as these drugs only suppress the symptoms and side effects but don’t cure the underlying reasons. Precaution while using kamagra ED treatment: Unlike other medications, it also needs some attention and care of a the best sildenafil health care provider otherwise it may come to feel like a punishment for the affair.
page 1 Advertiser article page 2 of Advertiser article 13 Aug

page 2 of Advertiser article 13 Aug

(1) The Advertiser – Posts | Facebook

An on line poll in the Adelaide Advertiser 13 August 2021 showed 71 % in support for the proposal:

Bathurst RSL Sub-Branch is supporting Breaker Morant move | Western Advocate | Bathurst, NSW

Your views: on Liberals, Gatehouse, ASO and ‘Breaker’ Morant – InDaily

[i] William Woolmore –The Bushveldt Carbineers – Australian Light Horse Association, (2002)  p.239-240

[ii] Additions and Amendments to the Honour Rolls | Australian War Memorial (awm.gov.au)

[i] William Woolmore –The Bushveldt Carbineers – Australian Light Horse Association, (2002) Slouch Hat publications  p. 239

[ii] Lieutenant Henry Harbord (Harry) ‘The Breaker’ Morant | Australian War Memorial (awm.gov.au)

[iii] Anglo Boer War – 2nd South Australian Mounted Rifles Contingent

[iv] The Bushveldt Carbineers and Pietersburg Light Horse

[v] William Woolmore –The Bushveldt Carbineers – Australian Light Horse Association, (2002)  p.42

[vi] Anglo Boer War – Bush Veldt Carbineers and Pietersburg Light Horse