George Witton s “Scapegoats of the Empire” was published in 1907; however, only seven copies of the book survived. According to persistent rumours, the Australian government suppressed the book because its untold story of a slice of colonial history was an embarrassment to the British Empire.

Harry “Breaker” Morant (9 December 1864 – 27 February 1902), a larger-than-life character, is a major figure in the book. He was born to parents who ran a British workhouse but passed himself off as well-educated and a member of the British upper class, creating romantic legends about his past. He went to Australia “for the colonial experience” and was variously a drover, a horseman, a bush poet and balladeer, a petty criminal and a military officer. Morant and Handcock have become folk heroes in modern Australia. . Their court-martial and death have been the subject of books, a stage play, and an award-winning Australian New Wave movie by director Bruce Beresford, depicting them as Australian icons and martyrs.

vii, 203 p. ; 24 cm. #230622
Morant, Breaker, 1864?-1902. | Witton, George. | Great Britain. Army. Bushveldt Carbineers — History. | South African War, 1899-1902 — Personal narratives. | South African War, 1899-1902 — Atrocities. | Trials (Military offenses) — South Africa.