TOPIC:

I am currently writing a novel which begins with a British soldier in the Boer War.
I need to know if the Concentration camps were run by the British army. If so
what rank would the superintendent have been. Any information on reading material relating to the camps would be appreciated.

Thanks

Barry Sanbrook

They were under Kitchener's command until 1 March 1901, then Milner, until 1 Nov 1901 to Civil control. Googled "Cd 819 +south,africa" and came up with some interesting sites. Cd 819 stands for Command Paper 819, 1901, dealing with Reports, etc., regarding "Refugee Camps" in the Transval, etc. The only books I have are the usual suspects: The Great Anglo-Boer War by Byron Farwell; The Boer War Illustrated edition by Thomas Peckham; Boer War Prisoners of War in Bermuca by Colin Benbow. There appears to be a lot of references in the Google book: To love one's enemies: the work and life of Emily Hobhouse compiled from letters and writings, newspaper cuttings and official documents. Good luck.

Hi Barry

See also this website of Elizabeth van Heyningen - www2.lib.uct.ac.za/mss/bccd/#

You can also email Elria Wessels at [email protected] for more information on the concentration camps.

Hi Barry,
You need to get hold of a copy of Dr van Heyningen's book, "The Concentration Camps of the Anglo-Boer War, a Social History" first published in 2013,. I imagine through 'Bid or Buy' or ebay.
Walter