Four Boer War military signatures

Evelyn Wood, Leslie Rundle, Ben Viljoen, and William Gatacre

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Printing Details

Here is a collection four original military signatures, they all had distinguished careers with the connecting fact being they all served in the Boer War as officers or commanders. They are clipped from letters and have been pasted down on a sheet which measures approx. 24 × 15.5cm.

1. Field Marshal Sir Henry Evelyn Wood, VC, GCB, GCMG, DL (1838–1919). Served in the Indian Mutiny (where he won his Victoria Cross whilst a lieutenant), also in the Third Anglo-Ashanti War, the Anglo-Zulu War, the First Boer War and the Mahdist War. On his return to England he held some important posts including Adjutant General from 1897 and as commander of 2nd Army Corps (later renamed Southern Command) from 1901 to 1904.

2. General Sir Henry Macleod Leslie Rundle, GCB, GCMG, GCVO, DSO (1856–1934). He fought in the Zulu War in 1879, the First Boer War of 1881 and the Anglo-Egyptian War of 1882. He was part of the Nile and Khartoum Expeditions. In the Seecond Boer War, he was appointed to the command of the 8th Division of the South African Field Force.

3. Benjamin Johannes "Ben" Viljoen (1869–1917), an Afrikaner-American consul, soldier, farmer, Maderista, and Boer general. In 1896 he founded the Krugersdorpse Vrywilligerskorps experiencing combat with the Jameson Raiders. In the second Bower War he led the Johannesburg Commando and fought at the Battle of Elandslaagte and the Battle of Diamond Hill. In 1900 he formed a powerful guerrilla commando. After capture by the British and release at the end of the war he moved to America.

4. Lieutenant-General Sir William Forbes Gatacre KCB DSO KStJ (1843–1906). He commanded the British Army at the Battle of Omdurman and the 3rd Division during the first months of the Second Boer War.

Condition

There is light foxing to the sheet and a little to the signatures but they are otherwise in good condition.