Anzac Ceremonies:
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Lawyer calls for fresh Morant inquiry:
THE trial and ensuing execution of Lieutenants Harry ‘Breaker’ Morant and Peter Handcock in February 1902 in the heat of the Boer War has remained a tender point in both Australian and British military history.
News that remnants belonging to Morant were recently discovered at the Tenterfield tip has upset documentarian, lawyer and historian Jim Unkles.
It's led him to once again call for an independent inquiry into the historical case.
Mr Unkles has dedicated years to studying Morant and Handcock and participated in the creation of a documentary, 'Breaker Morant – The Re trial', for Foxtel's History channel.
"The article about Breaker Morant relics recently discovered comes as no surprise," Mr Unkles said in a letter to the Sydney Morning Herald.
"I have worked tirelessly for six years on behalf of descendants to uncover compelling evidence that Lieutenants Harry Morant, Peter Handcock and George Witton were not tried according to law of 1902 and suffered a gross injustice.
"The latest find of these items will again bring to the public's attention that this case must be reviewed independently of government to assess the case for posthumous pardons.
"The inscriptions, purportedly by Morant's counsel, Major [J.F] Thomas, proclaim that his clients were not justly tried.
"Thomas protested the innocence of his clients and was determined to have the trials reviewed. He remained committed to the cause until his death."
Mr Unkles said the relics will be of great interest to senior legal counsel and community figures, including a current Government Minister, a former Deputy Prime Minister and former Supreme Court Justice who have called for such an inquiry.
"While, these treasures belong in the national heritage collection, on behalf of the descendants of these men, the Government may need to have an open mind and negotiate about an inquiry for these relics to be truly recognised and celebrated," he said.
Morant treasures unearthed at tip:
AN exhibition has gone on display at the School of Arts with some of the items thrilling history buffs.
“This is probably the biggest story in Australian history at the moment,” Tenterfield Shire Council Cultural and Business Services Officer Harry Bolton said.
The pieces rousing such elation from exhibition organisers are items that belonged to Harry ‘Breaker’ Morant and J.F Thomas.
The items are believed to have been discovered at the Tenterfield waste transfer station.
Breaker was infamously court-martialled and subsequently executed for his alleged involvement in the murder of some 20 people during the Boer War.
Mr Bolton said a collector, who has requested to remain anonymous, approached Mr Bolton with some rare items he’d come into. What they discovered was stunning.
A queen’s medallion belonging to Breaker, the cigarette tin he’s believed to have given to J.F Thomas just before his execution as well as an array of other items. Peaking significant interest is a flag that was strewn across the graves of Breaker and Peter Handcock.
Mr Bolton said experts at the Australian National Flag Association had appraised the flag and believe it to be “the oldest Australian flag around today”.
Written on the flag, conceivably by J.F Thomas, is the message ‘utter scapegoats of the empire’.
Breaker’s last words are purported to have been ‘shoot straight you bastards’.
“They obviously did,” Mr Bolton said.
Because one of the items in the collection is a dog tag belonging to Breaker, partially mangled from a bullet, leading Mr Bolton and others to suggest it was being worn by Morant at the time of his execution.
“The collection turned up two weeks before Easter. The owner brought in the collection in a hessian bag and we were tipping it out laying it on the desk going through it. “The dog tag had actually gotten caught on the bag. When we saw what it was it was really spooky, really scary. His [the owners] hands were shaking,” Harry said.
Mr Bolton said they’d kept the discoveries under wraps for fear of pressure from other agencies, such as the National Museum of Australia.
“They may be happy enough for us to house it here or they may put up a case for it to be housed there. The owner is happy for the stuff to stay here long term,” Mr Bolton said.
The exhibit, ‘Bushman in the Boer War’, is now open to the public.
Barnaby urges electorate to remember the sacrifice:
The Deputy Prime Minister and the Member for New England Barnaby Joyce encouraged the New England electorate to remember the sacrifice of Australian servicemen and women from all wars and conflicts during Monday’s Anzac Day commemorative services.
“On Anzac Day, I encourage all Australians to reflect upon the sacrifice of the brave men and women who have served our nation in wars, conflicts and on peacekeeping operations,” Mr Joyce said.
“Anzac Day is a time to remember those who have served our country and the price they have paid, sometimes with their health and wellbeing, and in many cases with their lives.
“We must never forget the Anzac tradition that was forged on a foreign battlefield by an army of young volunteers.
Mr Joyce said this year marked the 100th anniversary of Australia’s involvement on the Western Front, of France and Belgium.
“Australian troops arrived on the Western Front in March 1916, and participated in every major British offensive that led to Germany’s defeat in November 1918.”
This included the 33rd Battalion, nicknamed “New England’s own”, which sailed on the SS Marathon for further training at Lark Hill in England on 26 May, 1916.
The 33rd Battalion was formed in January 1916 at a camp established at the Armidale showground. The bulk of the battalion's recruits were drawn from the New England region.
The 33rd served with distinction at Messines and Passchendaele. It took part in a counter-attack at Hangard Wood on 30 March, and helped to defeat a major drive on Villers-Bretonneux on April 4, 1918.
“Almost 300,000 Australians served on the Western Front, more than 46,000 lost their lives and about 18,000 were left with no known grave.
“Names like Fromelles, the Somme, Pozières, Bullecourt, Messines, Passchendaele, Le Hamel, Villers-Bretonneux and Mont St. Quentin remain places of great significance to Australians today.
He said there were more and more Australians who could look to a forebear who served in the military in either WWI or WW2 or any of the other conflicts the country had been involved with.
“The connection to this event is becoming more pronounced rather than less,” Mr Joyce said.
“Therefore it has a deep commemorative and in some instances almost spiritual connection for so many people as a reflection of who they are.
“We shouldn’t forget these people for once we forget them, we forget who we are.”
Mr Joyce will attend the Tamworth Dawn Service at Anzac Park and then take part in services being held in Willow Tree and Quirindi.
“I encourage everyone in the New England Electorate to attend a service this Anzac Day or take time to pause and reflect on the sacrifice of those who gave their lives in the service of our country.
“Lest We Forget.”
Anzac Day schedule:
Tenterfield
5.30am: Dawn Service at Memorial Hall followed by a service at the cemetery.
6.30am: Gunfire Breakfast at the RSL Pavilion, at the rear of Memorial Hall.
10.30am: Anzac Day March down Rouse St from the Telegraph Hotel to the Memorial Hall.
11am: Commemoration Service at Memorial Hall.
12.30pm: Lunch at the Bowling Club.
1.30pm: Two-up at the Royal Hotel.
Drake
6am: Dawn Service in the Drake Community Hall followed by breakfast.
Legume
8am: Anzac Service at Legume Cemetery.
Liston
5.30am Dawn Service at the Liston War Memorial, followed by breakfast at the Liston Community Hall.
Torrington
5am: Anzac Day March from Torrington Hall to War Memorial Park.
5.30am: Dawn Service and breakfast in the hall followed by two-up.
Urbenville
9.30am: Church service at St Mark’s Anzac Memorial Church.
10.45am: March from Memorial Hall down Beaury St onto Clarence Way, finishing at the Memorial Gates at the showground.
11am: Anzac Service at Memorial Gates.
12.30pm: Lunch at the Urbenville Bowling Club. (Bookings essential.)
Wallangarra/Jennings
5.15am: Dawn Service at the Wallangarra RSL Hall, followed by pilgrimage to Wallangarra Cemetery.
11.30am: March from RSL Hall to the Wallangarra School of Arts.
12noon: Commemoration Service at Wallangarra School of Arts Hall, followed by a light lunch at the RSL Hall.
Woodenbong
10.30am: March from NAB to the Woodenbong Public Hall, followed by the Anzac Service.
After service: March from the hall to the Lest We Forget Gates for a wreath laying service, with RAAF flyover.