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In the 1950's my father received as a gift from a friend a nice memento of the Boer war.

There are 2 small books, a book of common prayer and a psalm book, both army issued from the Church of England. These books have 1 very unique feature, they are covered very nicely with snake skin.

Inscribed inside the Prayer book is this message:

To my sister Ethel, as a small memento of the Boer War. This book is bound with the skin of a very deadly S. African snake, which I found coiled round my leg, one morning when I awoke at Commando Nek, Transvaal, 1st December 1900

Frederic R. Wood
Sergt. 2nd Btn Worc. Reg

This book was sent from Africa all the way to his sister on Whidbey Island in Washington State. I can only imagine how long that must have taken given the length of the journey and the relative isolation of Whidbey Island in 1900. it is a great story and one I find fascinating.

If there is anything you can find out about this man that would be really interesting. If not I do understand that things get lost in history, and I have at least shared an interesting tidbit with you.
Keep up the good work, this is a great site you have here.

Xorbor,

Thank you for your post and welcome to the forum. The two books sound very interesting. Would it be possible to upload a photo of them? I would like to see the cover.

There are service papers for a Frederick Rathbone Wood who served in the Worcester Regiment. Could that be him?

Best wishes
David

Here are some pictures of the book, sorry if some of them are out of focus or repeated, just wanted to give you an idea of what they look like. I think they are quite fascinating. Both my father and I would be really interested in Frederic Rathbone Woods service papers, as we are quite sure that is the man who owned tse books and sent them to his sister.
Thank you very much for your interest.