Peter Handcock | |
|---|---|
.jpeg) Peter Joseph Handcock (1900) | |
| Born | Peter Joseph Handcock 17 February 1868 near Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia |
| Died | 27 February 1902 (aged 34) |
| Cause of death | Execution by firing squad |
| Criminal status | Executed |
| Spouse | Bridget Alice Mary Martin (1888–1902; his death) |
| Children | 3 |
| Conviction(s) | Murder (11 counts) Manslaughter |
| Criminal penalty | Death |
| Details | |
| Victims | 13+ |
Span of crimes | August – 7 September 1901 |
| Country | South African Republic |
| Target(s) | POWs and civilians |
Date apprehended | 23 October 1901 |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | British Empire |
| Years of service | 1899 – 1902 |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
| Unit | 1st New South Wales Mounted Rifles Bushveldt Carbineers |
| Battles / wars | Second Boer War |
Peter Joseph Handcock (17 February 1868 – 27 February 1902) was an Australian-born Veterinary Lieutenant and convicted war criminal who served in the Bushveldt Carbineers during the Boer War in South Africa.
After a court martial, Handcock (along with Harry "Breaker" Morant) was convicted and executed for the murders of nine Boer POWs and three other civilians.[1]
His execution, "which had been carried out without the knowledge and consent of the Australian government",[2] was and remains a controversial issue in Australia.
- ^ The murders are often prochronistically denoted "war crimes"; a concept that did not exist at the time.
- ^ Wallace (1983).