The Defence of Ladysmith and Mafeking. Accounts of two sieges, 1899 to 1900, being the South African War experiences of William Thwaites, Steuart Binny, Alfred Down and Samuel Cawood

Brenthurst First Series, number 9. Standard edition limited to 850 copies. Original bright red cloth, lettered in gilt on spine; tinted top edge; pictorial dustwrapper; pictorial endpapers; pp. 275, incl. index; maps; full-page contemporary illustrations, some of which in full colour. Dustwrapper spine panel sunned, and lower panel partially so; occasional fox spot. Very good condition. "Four eye-witness impressions are here published for the first time. They represent a range of viewpoints, influenced by differing experiences and backgrounds and add illumination to events that have attracted continuing attention since 1900. The siege of Ladysmith had high military significance. Artillery officer Captain William Thwaites, cavalryman Lieutenant Steuart Binny and rifleman Private Alfred Down were members of the large British garrison stationed there, and their writings recall months of testing trial. An account of the longer siege of Mafeking is given in the diary of Samuel Cawood, an Uitlander of Eastern Cape origin, whose impressions are laced with humour and prejudice.".…