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Linking Jack Thomson Breaker Morant Bathurst And The Gearin Hotel

Jan 9th, 2009
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Below: Jack Thompson

Jack ThompsonI was walking around Bathurst today taking photographs for another project that I’m working on at present, when I came across the Boer War memorial in Kings’ Parade.

Having lived here for decades, I’m so used to the memorial being a part of the landscape that it’s easy for it to fade into the background of this picturesque city.

Unveiled on January 10, 1910 by Lord Kitchener, it was built to honor locals who had fought and died during the Boer war.

Reading through the lists of names recorded there, I happened to notice the name of one Lt J.N. Handcock.

Below right: Breaker Morant’s Grave in 1902

Breaker Morant's grave.Handcock of course was sentenced to be shot by the British during the war for murder, along with Breaker Morant.

In what appears now to have been a political trial staged in order to help establish peace with the Boers, their defence lawyer, Major J.F. Thomas, was given just one day to prepare for the case.

When the news finally reached Australia weeks after the trial and executions, it caused a major uproar. The case eventually led to the Australian Army never again accepting British military justice for its soldiers.

Below: The Boer War Memorial in Bathurst

Bathurst Boer War Memorial

The Bathurst - Katoomba Link

One of the reasons that I like Katoomba so much is that it is mid way between Bathurst and Sydney. Just over an hour by road, or in the comfort of a train, Bathurst is a great place to have a day or two away, using Katoomba as a base.

While in Katoomba I base myself at Jack Thompson’s Gearin Hotel because of its location near the railway and Great Western Highway.

The hotel’s within easy walking distance of the center of Katoomba, and is central to all services.

Then again, you always have the chance of maybe running into Jack and asking him what he thinks of Breaker Morant, and the movie made about him.

Jack of course played the part of Major J.F. Thomas, the defence lawyer in the trial in the movie “Breaker Morant” (1980)

Below: Jack Thompson’s Hotel Gearin

The Hotel Gearin

Links:

Wikipedia: The Story of Breaker Morant Wikipedia: The Movie About Breaker Morant

Author of this post: Allan Cockerill

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Welcome To Katoomba and The Blue Mountains

Jan 8th, 2009
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Allan CockerillWelcome To Explore Katoomba!

My name is Allan Cockerill, a writer based in Bathurst, NSW.

For years I’ve had a passion for history, writing and tourism, and have had experience conducting tours with groups of people through the Blue Mountains and Sydney.

Explore Katoomba.com is a product of these passions, and I am looking to highlight the people and attractions of the Blue Mountains area in general, and Katoomba in particular, on this site!

Katoomba has so much to offer everyone from families with children to seniors and back packers, that it has become a major NSW and Australian tourism destination!

Below: The Skyway, Scenic World in Katoomba

The Sky Way

One of the things that stands in the area’s favor as a holiday destination is its proximity to Sydney.

With the global financial crisis throwing the holiday plans of many into chaos, the Blue Mountains offer the chance to have a week end, or a week away without breaking the budget.

The City of The Blue Mountains can also provide a great over night stop over on a road trip to places like Bathurst, and the historic gold mining villages of Hill End and Sofala, or the vineyards of Mudgee.

Katoomba is about 110 kilometers, or just over 68 miles, west of Sydney.

Ka-toom-ba is a native Australian word for ’shining falling water’, and the town was named after the nearby water falls in 1877.

First developed as a holiday and tourist destination towards the end of the 19th century, Katoomba has quality hotels, motels and guest houses providing accommodation.

Today, tourism based on the area’s rugged local scenery and attractions is the main industry in Katoomba.

Being only a short trip by road or rail from Sydney makes it a very popular destination.

Below: The Cascades, Leura

Leura Cascades

Would you like to know more about Katoomba?

Maybe you would like to see your business, social or art and craft group featured here on Explore Katoomba.com

To contact me about editorial content, advertising or to request feature articles, simply contact me by filling in the form below.

Please note that this website is not connected with any tour group operator in the area, and present content has grown out of my love for the area!

Below: The Carrington Hotel

The Carrington

 

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