A Soldier's Diary. South Africa 1899-1901

Demy 8vo; original purple cloth, lettered in gilt on spine and upper cover; pp. x + (ii) + 366; frontis.; line drawings. Spine sunned and a little soiled; slight wear to extremities; trace of stippling to cloth; earlier owner's name signed on front pastedown; hinges tender; hinges somewhat foxed, occasional spotting elsewhere. Good. (Hackett, p. 161) "Campaign experiences of an NCO in the 7th Battn. Mounted Infantry. The writer took part in the advance from Bloemfontein to Pretoria. Copies recorded bound in light brown cloth and purple cloth, the latter of larger format." - Hackett: South African War Books - An Illustrated Bibliography. "A word should be said here of the author's personality. Sergt. Jackson is a son of Lieut.-Colonel Halkett Jackson, who was mentioned in despatches by Lord Roberts at Cabul and saw much active service in different parts of the Empire. In spite of the modesty of his narrative the reader experienced in military matters will probably guess (as was the case) that Sergt. Jackson served with distinction in South Africa. Indeed, he was on at least two occasions offered a commission. Finally, lest his expressive illustrations should be subjected to an academic criticism which they were not expected to face, it should be mentioned that he has never had a drawing lesson in his life. It is hoped that, although the official histories and accounts of the South African war which have appeared are many and excellent, there may yet be room for this entirely unofficial and graphic narrative of some of that campaign's less-known phases." - From the Publisher's Note.