If I was a relative of Breaker Morant I would be upset that he received an unfair trial that was kept secret and disappointed that I wasn't informed of his arrest and that I didn't hear anything of his trial and execution until after they occurred. I would also be outraged that the Australian Government hadn't heard about the situation Breaker Morant and Peter Handcock were facing in South Africa which prevented them from intervening on the Australians behalf. I would be infuriated that Breaker Morant was one of only three soldiers indiscriminately chosen to be executed for high treason from an army of 450,000 soldiers strong. Breaker Morant admitted to killing 12 unarmed innocent farmers, but he was adamant that he only did this because he was ordered to by Lord Kitchener. He believed he was only following orders like every good soldier would, even if he didn't believe he was doing the right thing by killing civilians. It is my strong believe that the only reason Lord Kitchener executed Breaker Morant and Peter Handcock was to cover up his ruthless orders and his take no prisoners approach to defeating the Boer settler resistance. I believe they were his scapegoats.
St Andrew’s Anglican College,
40 Peregian Springs Drive,
Peregian Springs, QLD, 4573
Australia.
10th March 1902
The Right Honorable Robert Gascoyne
10 Downing Street, SW1A 2AA
London,
England.
Dear Sir,
I am writing to you as a concerned Australian citizen regarding the prejudice evident in Breaker Morant’s trial and execution. I was upset and disappointed that he received an unfair trail. This was compounded by the secrecy and I only found out about his arrest, trial and execution after the event. I am also outraged that the Australian Government wasn't informed of the situation Breaker Morant and Peter Handcock were facing in South Africa which prevented them from intervening on the Australian’s behalf. I am infuriated that Breaker Morant was one of only three soldiers indiscriminately chosen to be tried and executed for high treason from an army of 450,000 soldiers. Breaker Morant admitted at his trial to killing 12 unarmed innocent farmers, but he was adamant that he only did this because he was ordered to by Lord Kitchener. He believed he was only following orders like every good soldier would, even if he didn't believe he was doing the right thing by killing civilians. It is my strong believe that the only reason Lord Kitchener executed Breaker Morant and Peter Handcock was to cover up his ruthless orders and his take no prisoners approach to defeating the Boer settler resistance.
There are lots of people in Australia who support the idea of giving Breaker Morant a full pardon and apology for his rushed and unfair trial and execution. As you are the leader of the British Empire I believe it is up to you to review the case of Breaker Morant and Peter Handcock and bring some closure to the families of these two men. I believe it is the least you can do after all the secrets that you have kept. I further believe that you owe all Australian’s an apology.
Australia has served the British Empire faithfully for a long time and this should be recognised. You must not treat our soldiers like this again. You can’t use them as your scapegoats to cover up your ruthless commands. Australia would love to continue their partnership with the British Empire but our soldiers must receive more respect for all the time they put in to serve the British Empire. We hope you will agree so will can keep our great relationship intact.
Yours faithfully,
Alexander Bennett
40 Peregian Springs Drive,
Peregian Springs, QLD, 4573
Australia.
10th March 1902
The Right Honorable Robert Gascoyne
10 Downing Street, SW1A 2AA
London,
England.
Dear Sir,
I am writing to you as a concerned Australian citizen regarding the prejudice evident in Breaker Morant’s trial and execution. I was upset and disappointed that he received an unfair trail. This was compounded by the secrecy and I only found out about his arrest, trial and execution after the event. I am also outraged that the Australian Government wasn't informed of the situation Breaker Morant and Peter Handcock were facing in South Africa which prevented them from intervening on the Australian’s behalf. I am infuriated that Breaker Morant was one of only three soldiers indiscriminately chosen to be tried and executed for high treason from an army of 450,000 soldiers. Breaker Morant admitted at his trial to killing 12 unarmed innocent farmers, but he was adamant that he only did this because he was ordered to by Lord Kitchener. He believed he was only following orders like every good soldier would, even if he didn't believe he was doing the right thing by killing civilians. It is my strong believe that the only reason Lord Kitchener executed Breaker Morant and Peter Handcock was to cover up his ruthless orders and his take no prisoners approach to defeating the Boer settler resistance.
There are lots of people in Australia who support the idea of giving Breaker Morant a full pardon and apology for his rushed and unfair trial and execution. As you are the leader of the British Empire I believe it is up to you to review the case of Breaker Morant and Peter Handcock and bring some closure to the families of these two men. I believe it is the least you can do after all the secrets that you have kept. I further believe that you owe all Australian’s an apology.
Australia has served the British Empire faithfully for a long time and this should be recognised. You must not treat our soldiers like this again. You can’t use them as your scapegoats to cover up your ruthless commands. Australia would love to continue their partnership with the British Empire but our soldiers must receive more respect for all the time they put in to serve the British Empire. We hope you will agree so will can keep our great relationship intact.
Yours faithfully,
Alexander Bennett