MANUSCRIPT DIARY OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN WAR 1900 & 1901

Autograph diary written by Private Charles Burgin , Bedfordshire Regiment in a lined note book, 220 x 170 mm, 245 pages followed by a 4 page index of his movements.

This diary was transcribed and published by Geoffrey Moore in 1986 as Burgin’s War, a copy of which is included.

Moore writes, '...the Diary of an old infantry soldier recalled from the reserve in January 1900 until 15th months later when he set sail from Cape Town on a hospital ship. He wrote in vivid language, not of high strategy or works of generals, but of extreme rigours and hardships ……Burgin somehow always found the energy to keep his remarkable diary going. It is an outstanding document because it is that rare-enough thing, a truthful and contemporary account of what the war means to a private soldier. He was not much concerned with what was happening outside his own immediate vision. Yet is not merely a dull repetitive account of guards and marches. Something fresh always seemed to be happening to the old soldier who could end an account of a sharp night’s fighting against a large force commanded by De Wet, by writing the next day "our duck and kidney beans and new potatoes (all looted) were very nice for dinner. Afterwards slept till tea time, then a short ramble."'

Moore comments, 'Thank goodness for the late 19th century innovation of regimental schools so that Burgin’s literary leanings were able to find expression on paper.'