Blue Bonnets, Boers and Biscuits : Boer War Diary of Private William Fessey DCM of the King's Own Scottish Borderers(click to buy from Amazon)
William Fessey, Heather Wilson, Paperback (October 1998) H Wilson; ISBN: 0953336905
When Pte Fessey sailed for south Africa in January 1900 he had already served seven years with the colours and spent some time as a police officer in Rugby. He had missed the regiment so much that he re-joined in 1898, and was to do again in 1914.
This diary accurately reflects his character as a steady, reliable man who had seen action before and nothing in his subsequent service on the veldt would surprise him. Fessey's brief and factual style conveys well the tedium of the soldier's life in this campaign. The KOSB were part of Lord Roberts' army who marched from the Orange River to Pretoria and then into the eastern Transvaal. There are few events to lighten the marching, outpost duty and digging trenches which seemed to occupy most of his waking hours. He appears to be well informed on what other battles and actions had occurred, frequently giving numbers of casualties and naming the opposing Boer leaders.
Fessey's role in the battalion was to fire the Maxim gun, a role he obviously enjoyed; his last entry reads, 'The amount of ammunition I used while I was with the Machine Gun - 8,235 rounds". During the battle of Karree Siding (29-03-1900) the gun section was ordered forward to help suppress strong Boer fire holding up the advance. This they did successfully from an exposed position, the Boers eventually being driven off the ridge. For this battle the Regiment won a number of awards and Fessey was one of 10 awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (London Gazette 29-09-1901).
When the opportunity arose in August 1900 for a spot of relaxation in Pretoria, he looked forward to a good dinner and a drink. Dinner cost him 9 shillings which he resolved not to pay again and the bars were only open to officers. Acting with initiative he acquired the uniform of a captain in "Robert's Light Horse" to enjoy a few whiskies and sodas and even a game of cards with 'fellow' officers. Not forgetting his mates he bought them a bottle of rum.
Fessey's honest account is unfettered by editorial comment, sensibly illustrated and complemented by an excellent modern map and an index. This is an interesting story of a soldier unencumbered by the jingoism that affected so many.
Tuesday 2 December 2014
Saturday 29 November 2014
Kruger Kommandos & Kak - Debunking the myths of the Boer War
November 2015 - I have finally finished this book, 12 months after I bought it and a long rest. As I remarked the tone is forthright, rather like being assailed by the friendly drunk in the pub. Suitably restored I dived back in and on completing the book I would recommend it to everyone interested in the war.
You may not agree with Ash's conclusions and will questions some of his facts, but as a piece of critical writing this is a good example. Not enough medal collectors and researchers seem to display any critical faculties. Too much information whether from a book (contemporary or modern) or the internet is received without question. My research to build The Gazetteer has shown all sources to have errors and many to be superficial in facts and conclusions; all can be improved. Ash demonstrates, rightly or wrongly, what the other side of the coin looks like and what lies beneath when you scratch the surface.
Read this, be sceptical, be critical, research harder, learn more.
My current read which I bought on my trip to the International History Conference: From the Anglo-Boer War to the Great War at Talana Museum last October.
Written by Chris Ash (527 pages, 30O South Publishers, South Africa 2014) this book with its natty alliterative title aims to challenges the reader's understanding of the causes, conduct and subsequent interpretation of the war - the Second Anglo-Boer War that is. In the very first footnote Ash rubbishes the need to assign proper titles to events because "Boer War" is "the established name". Established it may be, but it is inaccurate and misleading - the Boers fought many wars - as Ash is keen to point out later, so which "Boer War" do we refer to; if you ask a Swazi, a Zulu, a Sotho, a Tswana and an Englishman you may get five different answers, all of them correct. A Boer of course will respond "Watter eeen - Eerste Vryheidsoorlog of Tweede Vryheidsoorlog?"
Page one and Ash has succeeded in making me shout at what I am reading. However, his argument that Kruger's Transvaal Republic was keen on expansion (thru "Boer wars", eh?), reactionary and Kruger himself misread the political situation does have merit. The fact the Boers delivered the ultimatum and then invaded British territory, with a well armed force are inescapable facts.
On the war itself Ash points out the failures in Boer military planning and execution - personality clashes and naivety hampered their efforts.
I've yet to finish reading this book, but so far Ash's arguments are interesting although his forthright style turns the tone of the book into a rant. One can't fault his enthusiasm for his own argument.
You may not agree with Ash's conclusions and will questions some of his facts, but as a piece of critical writing this is a good example. Not enough medal collectors and researchers seem to display any critical faculties. Too much information whether from a book (contemporary or modern) or the internet is received without question. My research to build The Gazetteer has shown all sources to have errors and many to be superficial in facts and conclusions; all can be improved. Ash demonstrates, rightly or wrongly, what the other side of the coin looks like and what lies beneath when you scratch the surface.
Read this, be sceptical, be critical, research harder, learn more.
My current read which I bought on my trip to the International History Conference: From the Anglo-Boer War to the Great War at Talana Museum last October.
Written by Chris Ash (527 pages, 30O South Publishers, South Africa 2014) this book with its natty alliterative title aims to challenges the reader's understanding of the causes, conduct and subsequent interpretation of the war - the Second Anglo-Boer War that is. In the very first footnote Ash rubbishes the need to assign proper titles to events because "Boer War" is "the established name". Established it may be, but it is inaccurate and misleading - the Boers fought many wars - as Ash is keen to point out later, so which "Boer War" do we refer to; if you ask a Swazi, a Zulu, a Sotho, a Tswana and an Englishman you may get five different answers, all of them correct. A Boer of course will respond "Watter eeen - Eerste Vryheidsoorlog of Tweede Vryheidsoorlog?"
Page one and Ash has succeeded in making me shout at what I am reading. However, his argument that Kruger's Transvaal Republic was keen on expansion (thru "Boer wars", eh?), reactionary and Kruger himself misread the political situation does have merit. The fact the Boers delivered the ultimatum and then invaded British territory, with a well armed force are inescapable facts.
On the war itself Ash points out the failures in Boer military planning and execution - personality clashes and naivety hampered their efforts.
I've yet to finish reading this book, but so far Ash's arguments are interesting although his forthright style turns the tone of the book into a rant. One can't fault his enthusiasm for his own argument.
Friday 28 November 2014
Introduction
Welcome to The Anglo-Boer Wars blog
This blog is connected to my website The Register of the Anglo Boer War 1899-1902 (aka www.casus-belli.co.uk).
I have been researching the Second Anglo-Boer War 1899-1902 since 1984, when I was a student studying African History at the University of Sussex. Although, my first brush with warfare in southern Africa was, like so many others, with Washing of the Spears and those films!
I will use this blog to elaborate on anything I find of interest in my researches into the men, women, medals, memorials, ephemera and anything else I think is relevant.
The Register of the Anglo Boer War 1899-1902 is a register of those who fought for the British Empire. It will become a complete (as complete as lists of people ever get) list of everyone who fought against the Boers. There is information in The Register for family historians, medal collectors and researchers.
I hope you will enjoy and find this blog interesting.
Regards
Meurig
This blog is connected to my website The Register of the Anglo Boer War 1899-1902 (aka www.casus-belli.co.uk).
I have been researching the Second Anglo-Boer War 1899-1902 since 1984, when I was a student studying African History at the University of Sussex. Although, my first brush with warfare in southern Africa was, like so many others, with Washing of the Spears and those films!
I will use this blog to elaborate on anything I find of interest in my researches into the men, women, medals, memorials, ephemera and anything else I think is relevant.
The Register of the Anglo Boer War 1899-1902 is a register of those who fought for the British Empire. It will become a complete (as complete as lists of people ever get) list of everyone who fought against the Boers. There is information in The Register for family historians, medal collectors and researchers.
I hope you will enjoy and find this blog interesting.
Regards
Meurig
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