TOPIC:

Described as 'An album of fifty fully-described war pictures from photographs taken mainly on the Boer side by a resident in the Orange Free State during the campaign' and 'An artistic and unique memento of the war in South Africa'.

The introduction states:

At the commencement of the war with the Transvaal, the writer, who was then settled at Viljoen's Drift, Orange Free State, having obtained a permit from the Free State Government, decided to remain in the country through the war, with the object of taking photographs which would illustrate incidents etc of the campaign on both sides, and which would give some idea of the work of the Boers, as well as that of our own people.

The writer has to thank the Rev J J West, Viljoen's Drift, for two pictures which appear in the book.

W H Gill

London, W
September 1900

Transvaal commando train

A train made up of artillery and ox-waggons. The latter are used in the making [of] laagers for defensive purposes and of course for transport between places where there is no railway communication. The man almost in the centre of the picture in a black uniform is a Transvaal artillery officer.

Boer commando in fighting trim

The commando here shown are the Winburgers (Winburg, OFS). At the time the photo was taken [in Viljoen's Drift], they had already been on active service in Natal and were being sent down to the assistance of the forces around Bloemfontein; Lord Roberts being reported as marching on the capital.

The Transvaal German Corps

The foreign element in the Boer forces has been no inconsiderable factor in their stubborn resistance. The Scandinavian corps, for instance, almost completely cut up at Scholtz Nek are said to have fought with splendid heroism. The German corps were almost the very last to abandon the Free State before the British advance.

A Free State burgher ready for the fray

Although the gentleman in this picture is certainly string enough to carry his ammunition in the usual bandolier, he has seen the advisability of distributing the weight by wearing a leather waistcoat - no doubt, in a long day's march, it would make a good deal of difference.

Commandeering goods for the war, OFS

In both of the Republics there was a law which allowed the Government in the event of war, to commandeer (ie to take without payment) provisions etc from stores throughout the State for war purposes, a receipt being given, the goods to be paid for after the war, needless to say, this was not a popular law with store-keepers.