Pretoria: Wallachs’ P & P, 1947
4to, 176pp. Softcover binding, with blue lettering and Royal cypher on front cover. With several monochrome plates of the British royal family, mayor of Pretoria, members of the committee of the SA Legion BESL, and of Jan Smuts, his wife, and DF Malan. Inscludes a short history of Pretoria and of the Legion. With caricatures throughout.
After suffering the horrors of war in France and Flanders, thousands of men who fought on the British side in World War One underwent incredible hardship once they had been discharged from the armed services and returned to civilian life. V Realising the serious plight in which men found themselves, three prominent soldiers - Field Marshall Earl Haig, General the Rt. Hon. J C Smuts and General Sir H T Lukin - founded the British Empire Service League (BESL) at an inaugural meeting held in the City Hall, Cape Town on 21 February 1921.
The South African branch was titled ‘British Empire Service League (South Africa) but in April 1941, in deference to the pro-war and anti-war factions in the country, the name was changed to the South African Legion of the BESL. In 1952 it was again altered, this time to the South African Legion of the British Commonwealth Ex-Service League. Originally in Bloemfontein, the Headquarters moved to Johannesburg in 1942.
The aim of the BESL was to provide care, employment and housing. In South Africa the Legion was equal to the challenge. It built on the foundation and continued this good work after World War Two. Thousands of men and women have been assisted in all manner of means and this work carries on today. Former National Servicemen and those who were part of the Armed Struggle are assisted with advice and direction. (https://www.salegion.co.za/about-the-sa-legion.html)
Condition: Fair. Rubbing, creasing, edgewear and closed and open tears to the covers. Some wear to top and tail of spine. Spots of insect damage to first plate of King George VI. Creasing to top and bottom corners of first few pages. Book still well bound, except for covers, which are starting to come loose. Text, illustrations and plates are overall clean.
- Overall Condition: Fair
- Size: 4to
- Sold By: Bookdealers cc
- Contact Person: Doron Locketz
- Country: South Africa
- Email: [email protected]
- Telephone: 0114407936
- Preferred Payment Methods: EFT, Payfast, Credit Card
- Trade Associations: South African Bookdealers Association
