Bathurst RSL Letter on Bathurst Boer War Memorial - Lt Peter Handcock
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| Lt Peter Handcock |
On Anzac Day this year journalist Peter FitzSimons wrote an article published in the Sydney Morning Herald calling for the removal of the name of Lieutenant Peter Handcock from the Bathurst, New South Wales, Boer War Memorial on the ground that he was a convicted war criminal, for which he was executed by firing squad alongside Lieutenant Harry "Breaker" Morant in South Africa on 27 February 1902. Handcock was a Bathurst district local.
James Unkles is an author, former naval reserve officer, military and civilian lawyer, and campaigner for a pardon for Morant, Handcock and the third convicted man, George Witton. On 30 May 2021 James posted a response to FitzSimons on his website. The response notes that on 4 May 2021 the Bathurst Sub-Branch of the RSL wrote to Bathurst Regional Council, which controls the monument, opposing the removal of any names from the Memorial. A copy of the letter is reproduced below.
Bathurst Regional Council has declined to remove Handcock's name from the Memorial.
Our Society's main website is here: www.militaryhistorynsw.com.au
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Peter FitzSimons' claim about Lieutenant Handcock's exploits during the Boer war and his insistence that Handcock’s name be removed from the War memorial at Bathurst is disputed by Handcock’s descendants who, along with the descendants of Lieutenants Morant and Witton advocate for an independent inquiry to determine how these men were treated by the British military. The descendants argue these men suffered appalling injustice after a trial and sentencing process that was illegal according to military law of 1902.
ReplyDeleteThe decision by the Bathurst RSL Sub Branch and the Council was appropriate and reflects the National War Memorial's policy/sentiments that all Australians who served in War time should be respected on Memorials irrespective of civilian or military indiscretions. If Handcock's name is removed, then all those with such indiscretions in any War should also be removed. I don't think Peter gave his suggestion careful thought.
While FitzSimons is entitled to express a version of history about the Boer war and these men, his conclusion that Morant and Handcock got what they deserved overlooks a fatal injustice at the hands of their British superiors. It is an injustice that has drawn support for an independent inquiry from leading senior judicial figures, politicians and respected community leaders.
The descendants also complained to the Sydney Morning Herald that Peter's article published on ANZAC day 2021 was insulting, distressing and sensationalist. They asked for an apology from Peter but one hasn't been provided.
yes I agree 100% with the last bits above, like what is happening today the government is happy to turn a blind eye when winning but once that changes a scapegoats have to found.
DeletePeter Fitzsimons is an arrogant, rude man whose own self importance is way over-inflated. He is NOT a military historian, but somebody who uses the history of our service people for his own financial gain and fame. Rather he hires the services of reputable historians to provide his research. Who does he think he is? I am certainly NOT an anonymous internet troll, but would be very comfortable in telling him 'face to face'. Put your manners back in Peter Fitzsimons and realise that you are no more important than the next person. I certainly hope that you are no longer associated in any way with the board from our national museum of remembrance!
DeletePeter FitzSimons, take note.Bloody Lord Kitchener .He tried to run a war, and with his other no hoppers got his arse kicked so he had to find a way to save face with the British and make a cease fire with the Boars. He got another medal. 3 Aussies got a 303. The only thing they did wrong was to take unwritten orders from a nut. Peter get a life and stick to what you do ,not what you don't.Leave the man in peace,for he earned the right by being there.(no I say it as it is) and thank you to the Bathurst R.S.L for standing up.
ReplyDeletean article in today's Adelaide Advertiser about the submission to have Breaker placed on the Adelaide Memorial. There is also a poll on the paper's site, Breaker in front!
ReplyDeletehttps://www.adelaidenow.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=AAWEB_WRE170_a&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.adelaidenow.com.au%2Fnews%2Fsouth-australia%2Fbreaker-morant-family-wants-war-criminal-added-to-boer-war-memoral-in-adelaide%2Fnews-story%2F454fc9755aa90fdd8aab96e7c6fac560&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium
I have never had any time for Peter Fitzsimons, a man I consider a self-opinionated fool. Good on Bathurst Council and the RSL Sub-Branch for their decision. Anyone who has seen the memorial will know that Handcock's name was only added to the memorial long after all the others, and now this fool is calling for it to be taken off!
ReplyDeleteThe comment which is titled "Unknown August 9, 2021 at 1:32 PM" should have come up under my profile. I am the author of that comment and am not hiding behind anonymity. I have no idea why it has been published as "unknown". I stand by my comments that Peter Fitzsimons is not a reputable military historian and is out of line on many issues. NOT ANONYMOUS! Gary Traynor.
ReplyDelete