Boer War Letters - Original letters written by Lt. Hubert de Burgh Edwards of the Royal Welch Fusiliers

Edwards, Hubert de Burgh

Description:

Two letters written by a Welsh soldier fighting in the Anglo-Boer War, to his younger brother back in the UK. Addressed to Frank Glencairn de Burgh Edwards, St Johns School, Leatherhead, Surrey, England. Written by Lt. Hubert de Burgh Edwards, some on letterhead of the Royal Welch Fusiliers. Hubert was born 24 June, 1880. He served in the South African War; was mentioned in Despatches; received the Queen's Medal with four clasps, received the DSO in July 1901 for “surrounding and attacking at night a party of Boers with fourteen men, killing four and taking four prisoners.” The letters consist of a total of 20 pages (on five folded sheets) of quite closely written, neat pencil on regimental stationery, one dated 22 March, 1901, the second 9 April, 1901. The letters go into detail, such as where the regiment travelled, and how far they travelled per day. Much of the movement at the time was in the area around Ventersdorp, Klerksdorp & Lichtenburg. They clashed with Boer commandos under De la Rey and others. Took prisoner a “Count Badendorf” – a Russian who had been in command of the artillery [he seems quite positive about this Russian, although we cannot trace any such person & Badendorf sounds more like a German name]. Other Boers were taken prisoner, as well as some black “spies.” The letter of 22nd March for instance gives most of the regiment’s movements for the preceding month, also various incidents where Boers were encountered & captured, cattle & sheep rounded up and on the odd occasion buck or fowl were shot for the pot. A lot of the marching was done in rainy & muddy conditions, the troops also had to wade through drifts, etc.. The cavalry horses were so “done up” that they could hardly move. He had to send 33 men to hospital after a particularly tough march of 58 miles in three days. Altogether, a picture of hardship was described in these letters. He finishes off his one letter “Hoping you do well at cricket this coming season.” Sadly his younger brother was killed in France during the First World War, aged 29. Two envelopes, addressed to F.G. de Burgh Edwards, Esq. in Hubert’s handwriting, state “On active service, no stamp available” are franked “British Field Post Office ….” March 22 & April (?), 1901. Also franked London & Leatherhead, 1 May & 3 May , 1901. An unusual and quite immediate and personal account of trekking and fighting in the Western Transvaal. The daily activity and hardships of military trekking in the South African summer is well described, with exact itinerary of places & distances making the information quite important. Three of the five letterheads have been cut out, some horizontal folds, but very good.

Details:

  • Date of Publication: 1901
  • Overall Condition: Very good
  • Size: 8vo
  • Lot No: 193
  • Hammer Price: $900
  • Bids: 1
  • Visits: 71
  • Estimate: $1000 - 2000
  • Reserve: $900

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