TOPIC:

S/Ranger, please bear in mind that many of us on this forum are South Africans. We are keenly aware that Morant and Handcock murdered at least 26 South Africans:
- Six surrendered Boer men and boys (killed 2 July 1901)
- Trooper B.J. van Buuren (killed 4 July 1901)
- Floris Visscher, (20 yrs) a wounded Boer POW (killed 11 August 1901)
- Four surrendered Boers and four Dutch schoolteachers (killed 23 August 1901)
- Three Africans who witnessed the murders of the above (killed 23 August 1901)
- Reverend Carl Heese (killed 23 August 1901)
- Rev. Heese's African driver who witnessed the murder of the above (killed 23 August 1901)
- Two Boer children aged 5 and 13 (killed 5 September 1901)
- Roelf Petrus van Staden (56 yrs) and his sons Roelf junior (25 yrs) and Christiaan (13 yrs) (killed 7 September 1901)

I agree, this is a very difficult subject to write about or get involved with. I wouldn't want this to lead to any argument, but personally I don't see why Breaker Morant still captures so many imaginations and why to many he has become some sort of hero. In modern times he'd be classed as a war criminal. Unfortunately these things did happen. Some individuals on both sides were guilty of different crimes and these things have happened in every war there has ever been and still do; look at what's happening in the Ukraine right now. I would urge anyone writing about this subject to fully research the facts and be sympathetic to the South African people.

I am fully aware of what Morant and Handcock did and why they were executed. But if you read my posts the subject is 'Who made up the Firing Squad and escorted Witton to the Pretoria Railway Station' nothing more.

I hope that you can solve this puzzle. It is so rewarding when you can add facts to an already well researched subject. This is one thing so many of us have in common, a desire to make all facts about an event known and share our findings on this forum. Please let us know what you discover.

I have a copy of South African War Record of the 1st Battalion Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, 1900-1-2 as mentioned earlier. This does not specifically mention the execution of Morant and Hancock but does provide some circumstantial evidence. The whole battalion was stationary in Pretoria from October 29th 1901 until March 13th 1902. Major Souter joined from the depot on Feb 15th so presumably would not have taken up any specific duties by the date of the firing squad and this may be why he was given the task of organising it. He was the officer in command of F Company and if all this supposition is correct, the men who formed the firing squad may be included in the nominal roll below........

Excellent -now that's what this forum is for. Thank you for sharing this information.