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An Historic and Important Boer War Diary kept by a senior…
Sale Title:
Auction House:
Auction Location:
Auckland
Date:
29-Jul-2009
Lot No.
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Description:
An Historic and Important Boer War Diary kept by a senior Cavalry officer. The diary covers the period from November 1899 to September 1900. The diarist was likely a Horse Guards Officer or very likely a 10th Hussars Officer given his references to these regiments. He confirms in the opening pages that he had held a Staff Appointment in the Uk until being recalled to his Regiment as a Captain to accompany then to South Africa for the Boer War. It is believed that the author may have been one of the sons of Lord Methven (the British Commander), supported by the inclusion of two hand addressed envelopes to Lady Methven in the diarist's handwriting. A pencil note on one attributes the author to being Lord Methven himself (not confirmed). The diary makes numerous references to engagements partaken during the Boer War as well as many battles involving New Zealand troops. This provides an interesting perspective of the performance of Colonials in action overseas for the first time as seen through the eyes of an Imperial officer who would have been schooled in the art of warfare at Sandhurst Military College. An additional complement to this diary is an even rarer notebook covering the author's service in the North West Frontier of India in 1911-1912. Included are references to aspects of military life not previously considered such as travelling to the front by train, partaking in local hunts with the expatriate community and even the problems encountered in campaigning with local volunteer troops. Additionally the diarist has executed a number of small watercolours of the area in which he was campaigning . These are of particular quality and in fact the inclusion of several newspaper articles and copies of published newspaper battle sketches leads one to consider whether the author may well have been engaged additionally as a battlefield correspondent for one of the Uk daily papers. An important lot which originally surfaced in New Zealand
Estimate:
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Price:
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Category:
Unclassified