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Auction: 21030 - The 'Greca' Collection of Southern African Postal History
Lot: 67

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 (28 July) envelope to London marked "On Active Service From Pte. S.J. Solomon P.A.G.", signed by the Commanding Officer and showing "kuruman/bechuanaland" despatch c.d.s., octagonal-framed "T/25c" and charged the soldier's privilege rate with "1d/f.b." h.s., the reverse with a further despatch c.d.s. and arrival (23.8) datestamp; the envelope with a few small imperfections though an attractive cover from this unusual campaign. Photo

provenance:
Gerald Sattin, June 2008

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Sold for
£480

Starting price
£480