30 March 1902 Dear Sir, I am writing to you to express my concern over the recent execution of Breaker Morant. Having only just heard of his unfortunate outcome, I would like to propose what I believe to be the injustice of the court’s decision. I would hate for any other brave young Australian soldier, risking his life to assist in fighting for your cause, to be executed for a crime no different to the purpose of the war itself. Breaker Morant did indeed kill 9 Prisoners of War, he himself admitted it. But is that, my friend, not the reason why you recruited over 15,000 Australians to fight for you? Breaker, and his fellow accused mate Peter Handcock, were acting under orders from none other than Lord Kitchener himself. Last year on the 26th of February, a year and a day before Breaker’s execution, John Dillon, an Irish member of parliament, made public a letter from a British officer over in the Boer war. His letter included “The orders in the district from Lord Kitchener are to destroy all prisoners” and “the word has been passed around that no prisoners are to be taken”. Breaker Morant was made a scapegoat by Kitchener, and you, as prime minister of Great Britain, have the responsibility to make sure these actions are rectified. Both Morant and Hancock’s families, were unaware of his arrest, trial and execution until after both men were killed. They had no chance to defend their beloved sons, husbands, fathers or brothers. If no closure is given to these families, and the whole of Australia, we may end up arguing over the Breaker’s name for years to come. Australia is just beginning its wonderful journey towards being a premier nation of the world, and we would like to continue our strong bond with the already world class country of Britain. However, this can only occur if the British government is willing to have our back when we are in a pickle, and not use us as scapegoats whenever possible. Yours Sincerely Jake Turner