Breaker Morant's take on Spc. Jeremy Siuits' court martial.

At the turn of the Last Century in South Africa, a South-Australian Sergeant-- Harry "Breaker" Morant-- was court martialed and executed by the British for alleged atrocities committed against the Boer insurgents captured in the field. On many levels, the Boer War-- and Morant's execution-- foreshadowed the ugly guerrilla conflicts to come.

It has now been acknowledged by all sides that Breaker Morant was scapegoated by the British High Command for following orders handed down from Lord Kirtchner through the chain of command regarding the treatment of the Boer "terrorists" in the field. Morant and the other enlisted men court martialed and executed were sacrificed on the alter of the British Empire.

From his prison cell in the Transvaal, Morant-- a poet along the lines of Kipling-- penned the following rhyme which carries uncanny significance for Spc. Siuits and the other enlisted personnel who will soon be placed in highly public courts martial:

BUTCHERED TO MAKE A DUTCHMAN'S HOLIDAY by Harry ("Breaker") Morant
In prison cell I sadly sit,
A d__d crest-fallen chappie!
And own to you I feel a bit-
A little bit - unhappy!

It really ain't the place nor time
To reel off rhyming diction -
But yet we'll write a final rhyme
Whilst waiting cru-ci-fixion!

No matter what "end" they decide -
Quick-lime or "b'iling ile," sir?
We'll do our best when crucified
To finish off in style, sir!

But we bequeath a parting tip
For sound advice of such men,
Who come across in transport ship
To polish off the Dutchmen!

If you encounter any Boers
You really must not loot 'em!
And if you wish to leave these shores,
For pity's sake, DON'T SHOOT 'EM!!

And if you'd earn a D.S.O.,
Why every British sinner
Should know the proper way to go
Is: "ASK THE BOER TO DINNER!"

Let's toss a bumper down our throat, -
Before we pass to Heaven,
And toast: "The trim-set petticoat
We leave behind in Devon."