TOPIC:

Hi, my name is Dot and I am new to this site due to owning a beautiful embroidery that was made by one of my relatives whilst being held prisoner in the Boer War.
My late mother wrote a message on the back to say that it belonged to my grandfathers cousin but not naming the gentleman specifically and so I am attempting to trace the owner and creator.
I have attached a photograph of the embroidery and was hoping that one of the members may have an insight as to what the design represents so that it may give me a clue to help with my search.
Many thanks

Welcome to the forum, Dot.

Your picture did not come through so if you want to email to me at david.biggins [at] angloboerwar.com, I will post it for you.

Kind regards
David

Dot's picture

Very well made isn’t it. And in such good condition considering it’s age.

Jim

Many thanks Jim, the picture doesn't do it justice.
I just wish that I knew what it represented and which of my grandfathers cousins made it.
Dot

It's certainly well made and in good condition. The design may not actually represent anything, though, apart from something to do to pass the time in the PoW camp. While it looks a bit like the 'Austrian knot' which decorated the sleeves of officers' full dress tunics in those days, this item seems unlikely to have been intended to be worn on a uniform. Perhaps just something to be taken home as a souvenir -- as it evidently was.

A first step towards identifying who made would be to make a list of your grandfather's cousins (on both father's and mother's sides). It may then be possible to narrow it down to those who served in the war, and then to those who were taken prisoner.