Peter Handcock


Peter Joseph Handcock was an Australian-born Veterinary Lieutenant who served in the Bushveldt Carbineers during the Boer War in South Africa.
After a court martial, Handcock was convicted and executed for the murder of several Boer prisoners-of-war.
His execution, "which had been carried out without the knowledge and consent of the Australian government", was and remains a controversial issue in Australia.

Life

Peter Joseph Handcock was born at Peel, near Bathurst, New South Wales to William Handcock, and Bridget Handcock, née Martin on 17 February 1868
He was apprenticed to a blacksmith at age 12, and later worked as a blacksmith with the Railways Department.
He married his 17 year old cousin Bridget Alice Mary Martin on 15 July 1888, and they had two sons and a daughter.

Military service

He served in South Africa with the 1st New South Wales Mounted Rifles, and was promoted to Farrier-Sergeant.
When the NSWMR returned home he obtained a commission in the Bushveldt Carbineers as Veterinary and Transport Officer.

Execution

Handcock and Morant were convicted, court martialed, found guilty, and executed in Pretoria by a firing squad drawn from the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders on 27 February 1902 on murder charges for shooting nine Boer prisoners.
Although the defendants were found guilty of killing these enemy combatants, they were acquitted of murdering a South African missionary, Reverend Daniel Heese. However In 1929, it was revealed by George Witton in a letter to James Francis Thomas that Handcock had confessed to Witton of murdering Heese just after he was acquitted.

Petitions for review of convictions and sentences

In 2010, petitions were submitted for the review of the convictions of Handcock and his colleagues.

Footnotes