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Auction: 21030 - The 'Greca' Collection of Southern African Postal History
Lot: 65

Bechuanaland
Bechuanaland Protectorate
The Bechuanaland or Langeberg Campaign
With the outbreak of Rinderpest in mid 1896 the Cape Government decided to shoot local cattle to prevent the spread of the disease. The natives resisted this and gathered in the Langeberg mountains. A force under Col. Dalgety of the Cape Mounted Rifles left Cape Town on 27 December 1896 to take control and to settle the problem. In February 1897 the force was beaten back with two killed. Volunteers were called out and a detachment of Prince Edward's Guard left for the front on 25th February. The force concentrated at Kuruman before moving to a base camp at Bishopswood near the Langeberg mountains. A first attempt on the Langeberg failed and the force waited at Bishopswood for reinforcements before making a successful second attack on 30th July
1897 (23 Apr.) Officer's envelope, complete with contents, from Lieut. George Ward Ryans near the Langeberg" to England, marked "On Active Service, Stamps not available" and showing Vryburg squared-circle d.s., octagonal framed "T/25c" and "i.b./2½d" h.s. Photo

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Sold for
£450

Starting price
£320