Boer War,
Breaker Morant.
When did the event occur?
Harry " The Breaker"' Morant was a Anglo-Australian soldier, horseman, poet and war criminal, who fought in the Boer War. Harry was born in 1865 at Bideford, Devon, England. Morant joined the 2nd South Australian Mounted Rifles, when appeals were made for horsemen to serve in the Boer War. When he returned to the war, he was commissioned in a South African irregular unit, the Bushveldt Carbineers. During the second Boer war, Harry Morant was convicted of murdering 9 Boer innocents. In a controversial court case Breaker was prosecuted and executed on 27 February 1902 by firing squad.
Why/ how was Australia involved?
Many Australians still see Breaker Morant as a folk hero who was unfairly executed. People supporting Breaker Morant claim he acted on orders, and he was made a scapegoat by the British Army, and that he did not receive a fair trial. Almost 100 years after Harry "The Breaker" Morant was prosecuted in an controversial court case and executed by a firing squad, Australians still see him as a brave, courageous Hero, even though he is a poor role model as he murdered innocents and committed war crimes. Recently, a petition was sent to the UK court to gain a pardon for Breaker's War crimes. Evidence points both ways when considering whether Breaker was innocent or not. The Court declined the pardon request, but still, people protest for the Pardon of Harry "Breaker" Morant.
Significance to Australia. (5 dot points)
- Harry Morant became an Australian Folk hero for his Bravery in combat and his poems
- Harry Morant's controversial execution has sparked a debate which has lasted for decades.
- The family's of the people Breaker executed are still mourning
- The further investigation has show that the case was illegitimate and unfair, so this shows the British injustice.
- Breakers family still protest today for a pardon
Boer War,
The battle of Elands River.
When did the event occur?
The battle of Elands river took place in Transvaal, which is a British colony in the northern regions of south Africa. The conflict was fought on the side of the Elands river. The battle place between 4 and 16 August 1900 in western Transvaal. A force of over 2000 Boers attacked a garrison of 500 Australian soldiers, Rhodesian Canadian and British soldiers. Over 13 days, the garrison was heavily bombarded with shells and attacked with rifles. The garrison was outnumbered and surrounded but did not surrender. The Troops in the garrison were rescued by 10,000 ally troops led by Lord Kitchener.
Why/ how was Australia involved?
Australia was participating in the Boer war to aid the British and help defend the British colonies in the southern tip of Africa. It was Australia's first major conflict and many soldiers were experienced. The Boer war wasn't Australia's war but they were forced to join the conflict, as Australia is a nation under the command of the British and the Queen. Australia sent around 16,000 troops in total, but of these soldiers were inexperienced.
Significance to Australia. (5 dot points)
- Australia proved its nation worthy of fighting with the British
- The Australians gained fighting experience in their first major war
- Eight Australians died in the battle
- The Australians force won the battle and made sure the supplies didn't fall into Boer hands.
- Boer attack repulsed; British garrison relieved
