Showing 45 results

Archival description
Papers of Nathaniel Bishop Harman
Print preview View:

To Zelie, his sister

Welsh Hospital, Pretoria. Hopes she can remain at school. Is sorry to hear about Gertie. Is gradually recovering, though still very weak. He is well looked after.

To 'the old folk at home'

Pretoria. Time spent waiting for the hospital equipment. The search for cheaper quarters, and the occupation of Canon Sidwell's house. Horses drawn for their use. His flirtation with 'most pretty Sister K[endall]'. A service in the Cathedral, sitting behind Lord Roberts and his daughters. The Dutch Church looks horrid. Attempts to 'commandeer' plants by night to beautify Sister K's ward ahead of a visit from General French.

To 'the old folk at home'

No. 2 General Hospital, Bloemfontein. A military haircut. He went north on the first train to Johannesburg since the war began. Crossing the Karoo. A 'town' in South Africa. Pickets on the railway. Slow progress after one engine broke down. His provisions - chocolate and biscuits - see him through as food becomes scarce. The search for scarce food in Bloemfontein; the two youngest and prettiest nursing sisters were his 'convoy'. They have been at Bloemfontein for fourteen days while the Boers skirmish further up the line. Exploring round the town on foot and on horseback. There are now eight military hospitals in Bloemfontein. The ravages of enteric fever. Mild dysentery - the 'modders' - is rampant. Living off tinned food.

To 'my dear Home folk'

RMS Orotava. An excellent ship and a happy voyage thus far. Many military drafts on board. Has been administering the typhoid inoculations. The RAMC major, who went through the siege of Ladysmith, lets him do all the work! Six parsons on board. They are all fed extremely well.

To 'my dear Home folk'

No. 2 General Hospital, Wynberg, Cape Colony. His painting of sunrise over Cape Town. The elegant Mount Nelson Hotel. Military orders. Ugly locals. Disembarkation. Wynberg is a beautiful place. In No. 2 Hospital galvanised iron huts are replacing tents. 1300 patients there, mostly with enteric fever or dysentery. Fine facilities. Rumours of an impending move north. He now has charge of the Convalescent Division, which is 'no joke' with over 560 patients. Living in a bell tent with ingenious camp furniture. The discomforts of a wild storm. The local English Church is nice - an excellent Sunday sermon from the vicar, a Cambridge man.

[To his parents],

Orotava. They expect to arrive in Las Palmas tomorrow. Has been busy with typhoid inoculations. Hot weather. A passing hospital ship. Arrangements for cables and letters when in South Africa.

To his parents and siblings

They are approaching Cape Town. Impressions of Las Palmas. Typhoid jabs continue: a slight reaction to his own inoculation. Rifle and pistol practice. Singing solos at the CofE Sunday services.

To his parents

Pretoria. They arrived in Pretoria on 30 June. A 'rare good time' in Kroonstadt, living off wet and dry rations. Water was scarce, but the railway engines supplied hot water from the boilers. Picnics on the Valoch River: 'we even had a pine apple' (sic). His failure to return the keys of the river boats to the Military District Commissioner - and its consequences, including an interview with the General. A flirty nursing sister. First impressions of Pretoria: 'a curious incongruous mixture of fine houses and buildings and tin shanties'. The Palace of Justice and a girls' school will be their hospitals. Staying at the Grand Hotel, waiting for the hospital equipment to arrive.

To his parents

No. 2 General Hospital, Pretoria. Thanks for settling a College bill. 'We are now in a great hospital camp a few miles outside Pretoria.' He is fit and well, though too busy to write at length.

Results 1 to 10 of 45