Dear readers,
The Society has got off to a very good start and we are attracting thousands of visitors. The majority of site visits come in equal proportions from the UK and USA, followed closely by Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Curiously, the South Africans bring up the rear.
I am delighted that the second journal has some really interesting articles. Prof. John Laband uses two articles to explore the Battle of Majuba and his insight reveals a fascinating perspective of this battle. The article by Prof. John Hannavy gives us a professional interpretation of the development of photography during the Boer Wars. His incisive article uses a remarkable set of contemporary photographs, including some exceptional stereoscopic sets, all of which are of excellent quality rarely seen even in modern publications. The contemporary article is from the rare 1879/80 diaries of W.H. Tomasson, Adjutant of the Irregular Cavalry, (the Frontier Light Horse). The extract is of his personal impression of the Boers; it is an interesting example in print of British prejudice at the time.
On a different note, Tenterden Museum in Kent is holding a Boer War exhibition at Easter 2013. In recent years the venue has held a number of similar exhibitions, including those of the Anglo Zulu War and World War One, which were a great success. The Boer War exhibition opens on the 29th March and it is intended to run for one month. For further details of the exhibition and museum facilties, go to;
A special feature of the exhibition will be the story and Boer War artefacts of Sergeant Millen of the Buffs, a resident of Tenterden, who fought throughout the war. During the war, his family was officially notified that he was seriously ill at Bloemfontein and feared the worst. On later receipt of news that he had recovered, Union flags were flown from the town’s high buildings to broadcast the good news. On his return, he was honoured with a civic parade through the town. He went on to serve in India and then fought in WWI.
Artefacts on display will include a rare selection of photographs and posters; the two uniforms of Sergeant Millen and other items of his equipment; a selection of Boer War medals and selected military artefacts and army medical equipment from the campaign, including artefacts brought back from the various battlefields by participants. Visitors are welcome to bring Boer War artefacts for evaluation or valuation over the Easter weekend. The museum makes a small charge for entry. Tenterden has numerous car parks and excellent cafes and restaurants.
Dr Adrian Greaves
Journal editor.