Boer Prisoner of War Paper Knife - Ceylon

unknown POW

Description:

Wooden paper knife (mahogany?) 35cm long, engraved: "Made By Boer Prisoners Of War, Diyatalawa, Ceylon, 1900-1901". Blade is chipped along both edges. Scarce. HISTORY OF THE CAMP: Diyatalawa Major Anton Edema 1 Brief history of DIYATALAWA (Literally The Watered Plain) Diyatalawa lies in a valley between Haputale & Bandarawela,1250m or 4101 feet above sea level.It was bare land patana & swamp before the end of the 18th century. Reverend Samuel Langdon & Mrs. Langdon two Wesleyan (Methodist) missionaries leased & set up an orphanage & an Industrial school on this barren land. The building complex consisted of an orphanage, Mission house, Hospital & a chapel. This Wesleyan Missionary settlement was named as Happy Valley. Only other building in the vicinity was Clubhouse on Wilson's plains. Prettily situated Methodist Chapel was erected on a site off today's Polo Grounds. Reverend Samuel was a very hardworking person & he was the first principal of Richmond College Galle. He started the Kandy High School. Soon the tea plantations grew around this barren patana. Government land surrounding the Happy Valley was given on lease to open up Holiday bungalows. In 1900 Britain went to war with South African Dutch farmer settlers known as BOERS. Colonial government selected the Happy Valley as one of the places for the internment of the Boer POW. In April 1900 the Wesleyan mission was asked to move out of Diyatalawa. Prisoner of war camp was designed & then constructed by the Public works department under the supervision of District Engineer Kurunegala. It was in a 5 acre land & meant to hold 2500 POW.PWD completed the work within 3 months. The whole camp had been encircled with double barbed wire fencing & trenches. 4735 POW were held in the camp.[source:http://www.scribd.com/doc/24687734/Diyatalawa]

Details:

  • Overall Condition: Very Good
  • Lot No: 117
  • Hammer Price: $111
  • Bids: 13
  • Visits: 185
  • Estimate: $150-200
  • Reserve: $50

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Seller Details:

  • Name: Imagine Books & Gallery
  • Address: 84/85 Heritage Market, 9 Old Main Rd, Hillcrest, KZN
  • Contact Person: Steven Duckworth
  • Country of Origin: South Africa
  • Email: imaginebooks@webafrica.org.za
  • Website: imaginebooks.jimdo.com
  • Preferred Payment Methods: Electronic Fund Transfers (SA & International), VISA, Mastercard, Amex & Diners.
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  • Additional Information: Imagine Books grew out of the original Imagine Gallery (established 2001-formerly Richard Rennie Gallery). Areas of focus: Natalia, General Africana, Modern First editions, antiquarian literature, and paperback novels (new and second-hand). We are open 6 days a week (closed Mondays), and customers are most welcome to visit us in the lovely surroundings of the Heritage Market rose gardens. SABDA Associate Member.