My Father’s Day gift strummed the chords of a Frontier Partisans ballad. Literally. I have written here at length about the controversial case of Harry Harbord “Breaker” Morant, executed in 1902 for killing Boer prisoners in the Transvaal in the late, nasty, guerrilla stages of the Anglo-Boer War. Boer guerrilla fighters had ambushed, killed and mutilated Morant’s commanding officer and good friend, Captain Percy Hunt.
•••••
UPDATE:
Hans van Schalkwyk contacted Frontier Partisans with a different and highly plausible account of this incident:
Boers (15) were attacked while sleeping by Captain Hunt with large patrol and more than 300 black warriors assisting at around midnight on 6 Aug 1901. Captain Hunt, Sergeant Eland and the Veldt Cornet Viljoen and his brother died. After the fight the blacks mutilated all the bodies (Boer and Brit) My great grandfather shot and killed Hunt that night.
•••••
The Breaker was a bush poet of some quality, and he had a way of turning a phrase. Claiming that he and his fellow Bushveldt Carbineers were acting under orders all the way from the top in killing prisoners who were caught wearing British Khaki, he said he executed them under the authority of “Rule .303.” The .303 cartridge being the chambering for the British Lee-Metford and Lee-Enfield battle rifles. Facing a firing squad of Cameron Highlanders, he shouted, “Shoot straight you bastards! Don’t make a mess of it!”
The man died game.
One of the rewards that will be available in my upcoming “Warriors of the Wild Lands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans” is The Anvil Blasters’ recording of my original “Ballad of Breaker Morant (Shoot Straight You Bastards).” It’s a waltz-time pub song with a rousing chorus that has proved one of the more popular pieces in our repertoire. That’s mostly because, well, who doesn’t like bellowing Shoot straight you bastards! at the top of his lungs?
Breaker Morant was a bit of a sketchy character. It would be an error to assume that my fascination with him translates as unalloyed admiration. But I’m sure as hell willing to wear a provocative conversation piece (or two) related to his fascinating story.
Thus, daughter Ceili provided me with a t-shirt and a morale patch that touch that wild history — and lyrics from one of her dad’s songs that she has heard about a million times. She even got up and sang it with me on stage last week, leading a barn full of rowdies in the sing-along chorus.
Front:
Back:
You can get yours here.
Greg Waddell says
Enjoying the read Jim, thanks! My grandfather fought in the Boer War. Trying to find out more about him.
JimC says
Wow — interesting. Where are you researching?
Greg Waddell says
Family records, Ancestry.com, etc. I know he ran away from home somewhere in Great Britain when he was 13 and never saw his parents again. He joined the merchant marines and traveled the world. He finally ended up in Canada during prohibition and would smuggle Scotch Whiskey via boat down to Washington. I’ve just really started, but it is getting interesting.
JimC says
That’s so darn cool.
Black Tyrone says
My Nana O’shea did the same we all need to survive! Go for the story and be proud! Americans are resourceful.
Jack says
I’ll agree Lt Morant was quite sketchy, his claim that his soldiers belongings were found with some of the Boer prisoners, was never proven, and there were several Boer wittnesses that claimed he shot several Boers in cold blood after surrender.
Probably never know for sure, but I was taught different meaning of rule .303. When on trial for execution of Boer fighters, the judge, magistrate or whatever they had, asked Morant why he shot them, he stated “I followed the rules” they said what rules, Morant stated, “rule 303” When no one knew of what that was, he stated, “that’s the caliber of my rifle, I had the means to kill the bastard, and thought it was my responsibility.” (paraphrasing on the quotes). Hence, I was always told the meaning of rule .303 stands for…If you have the means, you have the responsibility.” Who knows, i’ve been wrong before, but I prefer my version..lol.
Steve Warrilow says
Yes Jack, that is my understanding of Rule .303: that if it needs to be done and you have the means, you have a responsibility to do it.
Asa Trenchard says
This is what comes of empire building
JimC says
Aye…
Paul McNamee says
I don’t know if it is exactly black humor .. maybe more gallows humor.
Anyway – yeah … kind of puts a wicked grin on my face. 🙂
JimC says
Right? I mean, you’ve GOT to appreciate somebody spitting in Death’s eye that way, even if he was a bit of a bastard himself.
Black Tyrone says
Jim you know I referenced Kit Denton’s novel and saw the movie in the theatre. Australia embraces their military history as do we. Gallipoli is their yardstick of valor. Brits and Micks as well the Frogs suffered too in the attempt .
Remember your grade school history? Nathan Hale? Nothing new but never does it minimize the valor. God Bless America!
Black Tyrone says
Great Grand Father, Patrick Sullivan Boer War {2nd Boer War} Veteran. {yes there were two} He was with the Royal Munsters. {Cork people} I have a picture with his medal probably taken late 1920s or early 30s after coming to USA.
JimC says
Can you scan that pic and share it?
Black Tyrone says
You will see a Barrel of a man with a handlebar mustache in Mufti.
Black Tyrone says
medal Too blurred can’t tell if it is medal with the “Widow Make”r on it or King Edward. Sorry for the Kipling reference. But I am a student of Rudy!
lane batot says
Discovering family history IS so darn cool! And talk about sink-krin-AWE-city–I JUST got a BOOK about my Texas settler paternal side of the family–an older distant cousin E-mailed me wondering if I might be interested in some family history–I assumed he was going to send an updated pamphlet or something, but heck yeah, I certainly was interested! And he sends this BEAUTIFUL DETAILED book(which he wrote himself) about my paternal history going back in detail to Europe and then the Texas frontier, chockerblock full of vintage photos and lithographs and old paintings–INCREDIBLE! It would interest ANYONE interested in that time and place, but especially someone whose relatives LIVED it! Yee-haw!
JimC says
That is fantastic! What a treasure.
Pat_h says
Ah man! I have to order one of those shirts!
JimC says
Right?
Hans says
Good evening Jim
Just a correction to “Boer guerrilla fighters had ambushed, killed and mutilated Morant’s commanding officer and good friend, Captain Percy Hunt.”
Boers (15) were attacked while sleeping by Captain Hunt with large patrol and more than 300 black warriors assisting at around midnight on 6 Aug 1901. Captain Hunt, Sergeant Eland and the Veldt Cornet Viljoen and his brother died. After the fight the blacks mutilated all the bodies (Boer and Brit) My great grandfather shot and killed Hunt that night.
Regards
Hans van Schalkwyk
JimC says
Wow — thanks for sharing that. You have some very interesting heritage there.
Alternate Historian says
Great insights! I took inspiration for my post on the Today in Alternate History web-site with the counterfactual September 6th, 1902 – Lt. Morant reports for duty at RMA Sandhurst which accredits this excellent article, hope that is ok!?
JimC says
Absolutely! Thank you.