The Truth Behind the Killing of “Breaker” Morant”

An innovative mix of fiction and non- fiction styles, “Shoot Straight, You Bastards!” is set in Victorian era England, Australia in the years leading up to Federation and South Africa during the Boer War. “Shoot Straight, You Bastards!” differs markedly in from the original 1970’s “Breaker Morant” film, which was based only around the trial.

Not only does “Shoot Straight, You Bastards!” produce new documentary expose the shocking lies, skulduggery and political expediency behind the controversial executions of Morant and Peter Handcock, it also explores the colourful life and tragic torment of the man behind the legend – the horseman, bush poet, ladies man, social outcast and soldier of fortune that was Lieutenant Harry “The Breaker” Morant – the Englishman who became an Australian legend.

“Shoot Straight, You Bastards!” is the true and tragic story of the boy born as Henry Edwin Murrant who became Harry “The Breaker” Morant. Born in a Dickensian workhouse to the widowed Catherine Murrant, he discovers at a young age that he was not the progeny of his dead father, but the bastard son of Admiral Digby Morant, a member of the English gentry. Afraid of the social scandal, the Admiral disowns him and later exiles him to Australia after the eighteen year old Edwin has an affair with a young heiress. He vows to return one day and restore his reputation.

After a short and tempestuous marriage to a beautiful Irish femme fatale, Daisy Bates, Edwin disappears into the Australian bush and finds the courage to accept his birthright and take his father’s name. Re- born as Harry Harbord Morant he becomes a celebrated roustabout, bush poet and ladies man, as well as a legendary horseman and buckjumper, which earns him the moniker “The Breaker”. When war breaks out in South Africa, the prodigal son sees his chance to regain his father’s respect.

After an uneventful first tour of duty Harry returns to England and through his friendship with war comrade, Captain Percy Hunt, he regains his place in English society and becomes engaged to a “trim set petticoat.” But his father remains unmoved, so he and Hunt return to South Africa.

They join the ill- fated Bushveldt Carbineers (BVC), who are fighting a bitter guerrilla war in a remote area of the Transvaal. He acquits himself well, but following the murder and mutilation of Hunt by Boers, Morant vows vengeance. He is made commanding officer and decides to act on orders Hunt received from Commander- in- Chief, Lord Kitchener, to “take no prisoners.” Morant orders the shooting of twelve Boers.

When this policy threatens to become public knowledge, Lord Kitchener has the BVC officers arrested. After removing vital witnesses and key evidence he charges them with murder and orders the prosecutors to secure a guilty verdict. In a bitter and acrimonious trial Morant reveals his orders came from Kitchener and produces evidence that other units also acted on those same orders. This is denied by the court and Morant and his offsider, Peter Handcock, are sentenced to death.

In a moving climax, Morant and Handcock are executed at dawn far from home. As he faces the firing party he rises from the stool, rips the blindfold from his eyes, stares down rows the row of muzzles and shouts, “Shoot straight, you bastards! Don’t mess it up”. They duly obliged and gave birth to the legend of the “Scapegoats of the British Empire.”

Prologue

The following passage is a short excerpt from the Prologue that appears at the beginning of “Shoot Straight You Bastards!” (click hyperlink to access PDF)

© Nick Bleszynski 2005

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