George Ramsdale Witton | |
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![]() Lieutenant G.R. Witton, Bushveldt Carbineers (1901) | |
Born | 28 June 1874 |
Died | 14 August 1942 (aged 68) |
Criminal status | Deceased |
Motive | Superior orders |
Conviction(s) | Murder (8 counts) Manslaughter |
Criminal penalty | Death; commuted to life imprisonment |
Details | |
Victims | 9+ |
Span of crimes | 11 August โ 23 September 1901 |
Country | South African Republic |
Target(s) | POWs and civilians |
Date apprehended | 23 October 1901 |
Military career | |
Allegiance | British Empire |
Rank | Lieutenant |
Unit | South Australian Mounted Rifles Bushveldt Carbineers |
Battles/wars | Second Boer War |
George Ramsdale Witton (28 June 1874 โ 14 August 1942) was a lieutenant in the Bushveldt Carbineers in the Boer War in South Africa. He was sentenced to death for murder after the shooting of nine Boer prisoners.[1] He was subsequently reprieved by Lieutenant-General Viscount Kitchener, albeit Lieutenants Peter Handcock and Harry "Breaker" Morant, who were court martialled with him, were both executed by firing squad on 27 February 1902.