Melbourne based lawyer James Unkles’ passion for justice and military history has led him to Seymour, campaigning for the removal of a monument dedicated to Lord Herbert Kitchener, located at J. W. Elliott Reserve, Seymour.
Lord Kitchener visited Seymour in January 1910, he was Commander-in-Chief of the British Army at the time of his visit.
However, Mr Unkles believes that history glossed over some unfortunate truths about the commander.
“Kitchener is hailed a war hero. I disagree, he was war criminal,” Mr Unkles said.
“While his reputation as one of Britain’s most iconic military figures is noted, evidence shows a dark side of Kitchener.”
Mr Unkles asserts Kitchener was responsible for the commission of crimes, including the summary execution of wounded combatants on the battle field, atrocities against innocent civilians, creation of concentration camps, a scorched earth strategy, destruction of civilian properties and orders for summary execution of combatants.
Mr Unkles believes that in a bid to cover up his ‘take no prisoners orders’, he ordered the execution of two Australians, Harry “The Breaker” Morant, George Witton and Peter Handcock, after denying them the right to a fair trial and process.
Mr Unkles has been campaigning since 2009 to overturn the convictions of Lieutenants Morant, Handcock and Witton, seeking posthumous pardons for their descendants.
The plight of these men is Mr Unkles motivation for the removal of the Seymour monument, along with monuments in Geelong and Brisbane.
“The challenge for the Mitchell Shire is do you want public buildings and memorials named after Lord Kitchener?” he said.
“I say they should be removed to maybe a museum, not destroyed, but removed from the public domain.
“The placement of memorials and monuments in public spaces recognises that they offer an officially sanctioned view of history.
“This provides an insight into the values and ideals of the society that constructed them.”
Mr Unkles said he expected resistance from groups such as the RSL, but he insisted the totality of Kitchener’s actions must be considered, and thus believes his case is strong.
“Certainly, he was a great commander, but so is Putin, would we put up a war memorial for him?” Mr Unkles said.
Mr Unkles has put his case forward to Mitchell Shire Council.
When council was approached on the matter Mitchell Shire Council chief executive officer Brett Luxford said council was thankful to Mr Unkles for researching the issue and raising it.
“However, council has no plans to remove the memorial at J.W. Elliott Reserve in Seymour,” Mr Luxford said.