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I am delighted to hear that an excellent review of “War on the Veldt. The Anglo-Boer War Experiences of the Wiltshire Regiment” has been included in the June issue of The Orders and Medals Research Society’s Journal.

Sincere thanks to Mr Will Bennett who is a leading authority on Orders and Medals and part of the volunteer team at The Rifles Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment Museum, Salisbury.

Well this morning I woke up to a pleasant surprise. I was contacted by Mr Jan De Jager from Bloemfontein South Africa. His Great Grandfather Hendrik De Jager served in the second Anglo-Boer War under General De L Rey and was present at the capture of D & G Companies of the 2nd Battalion Wiltshire Regiment at Rensburg on the 14th of February 1900.

Jan has purchased my book and wanted to tell me about his ancestor. Unfortunately he didn’t know much about his Great Grandfather but had been told by his Grandfather that his Father had bravely ridden at the gallop straight into the British soldiers at Rensburg Siding, shooting from the saddle and ramming into more with his horse. Amazingly he was unhurt himself.

This fits exactly with Wiltshire soldiers first-hand accounts I had been supplied with by their descendants after being interviewed by BBC Radio Wiltshire some years ago and which of course I had included in my book.

I love to find first-hand accounts. I think they bring a book to life and help the reader to understand a moment in time. Sometimes these can be exciting, or even harrowing and sometimes they can be humorous but they are always so interesting.

I have heard that in history the truth is out there if you know where to look, but clearly sometimes it’s also gladly shared.

Good morning Ian (afternoon in Aus),

That was a nice surprise indeed.

I finished your book and really enjoyed it. I appreciated the detail on the Waterval POW camp as I have medals to a number of British soldiers who were sent there.

The fact that Lt Col Carter was involved in the court martial of Breaker Morant was an ending I was not expecting; plot twist for myself (others probably knew that).

Keep up the good work.

Regards,
Shaun

Thank you Shaun, I’m delighted to hear that you enjoyed the book and your comments are very much appreciated.

Kind regards

Ian