65 pages, frontispiece portrait of Mrs Atkinson, marbled endpapers, bound in full maroon limp leather (nick in the spine has been simply repaired), titled gilt along the spine, top edge gilt, other edges uncut, presentation inscription on the half title page.
The presentation inscription reads, ‘To Nesta:- In appreciation of much cheerful help and assistance to readily given to dear Grannie in her time of great need; from Grandad.' (the author's husband).
The account written is in the form of a continuous letter to ‘My own darling mother and all’. Her husband Willie appears to have been an engineer possibly in the employ of De Beers who became a member of the Town Guard. She was a school teacher and describes her efforts to both protect the children and maintain a program of lesson with all the male teachers being occupied in the Town Guard. She describes life in the town and the anticipation of early relief but gradually this anticipation wanes as new filters through of the various battles such as Belmont and Modder River. On a visit to the De Beers workshop and she sees the gun, Long Cecil, which had been manufactured by Mr Labrum, the chief engineer of the company who was later to be killed by a Boer shell. She describes the conditions under which 1400 people sheltered in De Beers mine, ‘Can you imagine the scene, for it is impossible to describe it? The people lining these tunnels, with little children, bundles, and no – or very little – light.’
Printed for Private Circulation, Bickley, Kent, April, 1926
- Overall Condition: Very good
- Size: 8vo (190 x 130 mm)
