THE WAR DIARY OF BURGHER JACK LANE 1899-1900 IN SOUTH AFRICA

2001 first edition hardcover with dust jacket new and unread. Van Riebeeck Society second series volume 32. Anglo-Boer War, Anglo-Boereoorlog. R60 postage in SA. John (Jack) Moody Lane, born an Ulsterman, sought his fortune in the South African Republic where he became a storekeeper in the hamlet of Hartbeesfontein in the Western Transvaal. Although he accepted Republican citizenship, he remained loyal to the British cause, and was reluctant to bear arms against his mother country when he was called up to join a commando at the start of the war. As a result, he was placed in charge of the ammunition in the main laager of General Piet Cronjé. Lane saw action at Magersfontein, outside Kimberley and eventually at Paardeberg where he was captured and sent to St Helena. Throughout he retained a wry sense of humour and observed the life in the Boer camps with a sharp and critical eye.