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Half a pound of horse meat, oh dear, still, I suppose, on occasion, needs must.

djb wrote: 1900 - From the diary of Trooper A J Crosby, Natal Carbineers

Up at 6 o’clock. Had a shave getting rations at 7 o’clock. Managed to get half lb. horse meat which I am taking to Dr. Anderson to cook. Made a good breakfast, thanks to my good friends of yesterday, and then went down to the Doctor’s, spending the whole day in quiet. The Doctor looks very thin and weary, but everyone is in like condition, sick or otherwise. Don’t think he likes Ladysmith and speaks of trying Johannesburg when matters are settled again. He has one of the best houses and thanks to his hospitality I’m doing fairly well. Often chat of the good old times. Will we ever enjoy the like again? Hope we may but the prospect at present is very ominous. Returned to the Sanatorium at 9.30 with no inclination to sleep.

I remember when I was a young boy and lived just off Portobello Road in London there was a Horse Meat vendor there during the Friday market...... Never knowingly tried it myself.....

M.

1900 - From the diary of Major George Tatham, Natal Carbineers

Runner in with some letters.

Ration scale: Meat potted 1/2 or 1 lb, Fresh or cooked meat (horse flesh) 1 lb sausage meat will be issued daily as soon as arrangements can be made, tea or coffee 1/6 of an ounce, sugar 1 ounce, salt 1/2 ounce, pepper 1/64 of an ounce, mustard 1/20 of an ounce, vinegar 1/10 of a gallon, horse food, none. Natives and coolies, mealie meal or damaged biscuits 3/4 lb. fresh meat 1 lb. 1/2 ounce of salt.

(N.B. The greater part of the meat is horse flesh and the mealie meal is very bad).

Good news of Robert's movements came in. Another Long Tom shell fell in garden.

1900 - Diary of the siege of Mafeking by Edward Ross

Tuesday, 13 February

Enemy opened fire early this morning with 94-pound shrapnel, and I suppose Blinking everybody had taken cover, they then commenced with common shell, again giving the town one or two, and Cannon Kopje three or four, and one into the native village. This latter is the first one sent into the stadt since Snyman’s message to Wessels (the chief) asking him to come over to him and be friends. Snyman thinks he has waited long enough for an answer, so has commenced shelling that quarter again.

Same old monotonous shell and bullet fire over us off and on all day, and in the evening between 8 and 9 heavy sharp Mauser volleys all round. This latter seems to have become quite the regular thing now, and we have to keep low as the bullets whistle mighty close over our heads.

The snipers seem to be getting more dangerous every day. This is, I suppose, because they have in some parts crept in a little bit closer and have now got all the exact range. At least, they ought to have, with the practice they have had; this especially refers to our sentries, who at times get it very hot.

The enemy have been very busy round their big gun today and have removed all their tents from this position. Possibly they are going to try a new place with their Big Ben; we hardly think it can be our luck to be removed altogether. There is a rumour about that Snyman has gone north with a lot of men, and possibly Snyman is afraid to leave her behind.

The station has again today been the mark for the enemy’s big shells: they are endeavouring, no doubt, to knock out our shell factory and the armoured train. The engine of the latter is always, when not in use, kept behind the running shed where she cannot be seen, and is fairly well protected. She has been a very useful asset of defence and does good work now almost every night, running out the relief party to our extreme northern defence trench, about a mile and a half out. Thank goodness she has plenty of good coal, and consuming her own smoke and running very smoothly gives no sign of herself either by smoke or noise.