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The Boer War was the first major conflict of a century that was to be marked by wars on an international scale. It demonstrated the inadequacy of 19th century military methods and raised issues of whether conscription should be brought in and the use of concentration camps. Although the war was fought between Briton and Boer, it was not simply a 'white man's war'. Large numbers of Africans and other non-Europeans were involved whether combatants or in support roles (including Mahatma Gandhi, then living in South Africa, who served as a volunteer stretcher-bearer in 1900), and the lives of many more were affected by the conflict. On the British side, troops came not just from Britain but also from other parts of the empire, especially Canada and Australia. (From the National Archives UK)

This is a letter from Brigadier Gen. J.P. McGlinn to my great great grandfather, Cuthbert Bousfield. It recalls Cuthbert's extensive length of employment in the Public Service. He then goes on to Cuthbert's service in the Boer War and WW1.