TOPIC:

Has anyone any idea who the soldiers of the Cameron Highlanders where that made up the 'Firing Squad' for Breaker Morant and Peter Handcock's execution and or the 'escort' for George Witton to the railway station? Any information will be much appreciated.

I am not sure if this topic has been covered previously on this site, however I have been engaged in the same topic in other places.
The consensus was that it would be highly unlikely that the names that made up a firing squad were recorded for posterity. It is more likely that if on duty that day, the duty Sergeant would have rustled up the required number and said words to the effect "I have a job for you lot".

In regards to Whitton, it would have been a case of "you 2, escort this prisoner to the station".

Sure it would be a jewel in any collection to have a Cameron confirmed, but I doubt if the source material exists, and if it did would most likely be in personal journal or diary.

It is very different to say, any of the notable figures in the whole episode are known and so are their groups. I have 1 in my collection and I know of another (to a court member) resides in another collection in Australia. The QSA to Major Thomas NSWMR resides with the family.

Regards

Simon

I think that if the information you seek is recorded anywhere, it might be in here:

South African War Record of the 1st Battalion Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, 1900-1-2.

I don't own a copy, so can't tell you definitively, but it's worth a look if you can find it. Perhaps a large library somewhere might have a copy.

Or this might be an alternative:


www.abebooks.co.uk/first-edition/QUEENS-...STORY/31119373310/bd

Thanks for your reply very much appreciated.

From your response and other information I feel the answer may lie with Major Souter. Why was he chosen and was the soldiers chosen for these tasks from his Company?

Regards

S/Ranger

Breaker Morant the final roundup gives Major Souter's name as the officer who commanded the firing squad. I think that it is indeed very possible that the Major would have tasked men from his own company to form the firing squad. You would think that this would have been his automatic thought process. I hope you find the answer and if you do, please post your findings here for the benefit of all.

I am in the process of writing an article relating to this moment in history for a medal magazine. When I have it complete then I will post my findings for all to peruse and give their opinions. Thanks