Harry 'Breaker' Morant
9 December 1864 – 27 February 1902
(aged 37)


Harry 'Breaker' Harbord Morant

Place of birth Bridgewater, Somerset, England

Place of death Pretoria, South African Republic

Allegiance
British Empire
South Australian Military Forces

Years of service 1899 – 1902

Rank Lieutenant

Unit
South Australian Mounted Rifles
Bushveldt Carbineers

Battles/wars Second Boer War

Harry 'Breaker' Harbord Morant (9 December 1864 – 27 February 1902) was an Australian drover, horseman, poet, soldier and convicted war criminal whose skill with horses earned him the nickname "The Breaker". The bulk of his published work appeared in The Bulletin magazine.

During service in the Second Boer War, Morant participated in the summary execution of several Boer (Afrikaner) prisoners and a German missionary, Daniel Heese, who had been a witness to the shootings.

His actions led to his controversial court-martial for murder; his death warrant was personally signed by the British commander in South Africa, Lord Kitchener, although Lord Kitchener subsequently denied the issuance of it. Morant was executed for murder by a contingent of Cameron Highlanders (a regiment of the British Army) in Pretoria gaol (South Africa) on 27 February 1902.

In the century since his death, Morant has become a folk hero to some in Australia. His story has been the subject of several books, a stage play, and a major Australian feature film.

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