MANUSCRIPT DIARY OF THE ANGLO-BOER WAR

Hand written in a Lett’s Colonial Office Diary for 1898, 245 x 200 mm, bound in dark blue cloth with a red and gold emblem on the upper cover, marbled endpapers and edges. The diary contains one page per day for the year and a number of other pages for notes and an index. Vallentin’s entries are written in pencil on one side only and cover about a third of the pages. He has written the diary using carbon paper. The entries for July 2nd to 25th August appear in carbon copy only and the stubs of the original pages remain where they have been cut out. From 26th August to 1st November both the original and carbon copies remain.

Captain John Maxwell Vallentin (later Brevet-Major), of the Somerset Light Infantry (Prince Albert’s) saw extensive action in the Anglo-Boer War, his medal clasps include Cape Colony, Elandslaagte, Defence of Ladysmith, Orange Free State, Johannesburg and Diamond Hill. He followed this with vigorous service in the guerrilla phase of the war. ‘After recuperating (after enteric) he came to Heidelberg where Ian Hamilton had him appointed as the District Commissioner. A sedentary life did not suit Vallentin, so in October, 1900, he was employed by the S.A. Constabulary. The following month was promoted to Brevet Major….Early in 1901 Major Vallentin raised a corps of volunteers to operate in the Heidelberg area. This unit, which never exceeded 200 men was to become known as ‘Vallentin’s Heidelberg Volunteers’ or the ‘The  Nigel Mine Guards’. The Boers derisively called then ‘Witkoppe” (white heads) after the white hatbands which they wore.’ He was killed in action on 4th January 1902 at Bankop. ‘Vallentin was forced to make a last stand on a small ridge, which was virtually bereft of cover. The Boers under Kmdt Opperman pressed their attach with great vigour, under the impression that they were avenging Bethal. Again and again they threw themselves at the small force on the hill and were thrown back. Two burghers fell within ten metres of the defenders. Vallentin strived to the last to avert defeat and rally his forces, but when the Boers worked their way to his reach and began firing at 50M range he knew they stood no chance. Vallentin stood exposed to the enemy fire issuing instructions when he was shot down.’ From Uys (Ian) Heidelbergers of the Boer War (1981).

In this diary he describes his time with the S.A. Police in Heidelberg including his brief detention by a Boer commando (1st September) which he had approached believing it was led by de Wet but found Theron instead, ‘So I went out 3 pm, came on Boer outpost, 6 pm, found not de Wet but Theron at home; had long talk with him; he was rude and held me prisoner.’ He was detained until Saturday, 8th September. These dates are left blank in the diary as if he was intending to fill them in later. On Sunday he writes, ‘In afternoon received a wire from Lord Roberts saying no details of my capture, detention or release had been received and that orders as to the future would be issued when a Court of Enquiry had reported on my case.’ The next day he comments, ‘Monday, 10 September. Court of Enquiry sat at 9 am; opinion reported by wire to C of S Belfast’. Apparently no action was taken against him and he continues the diary describing has administrative duties including veld clearance and farm burning, issuing passes to compliant burghers and commenting on commando and troop movements. Of this incident Ian Uys comments, ‘On one occasion Vallentin was deputed to deliver Lord Roberts’ proclamation to Boers in the Heidelberg area. He delivered his message and spent a week with a Boer Commando as their guest while the proclamation was debated. This unique experience must have given him deep insight into the Boer character and military establishment, for he was a trained observer.’ (page154).