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Papers of Nathaniel Bishop Harman
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Papers of Nathaniel Bishop Harman

  • Harman
  • Fonds
  • 1900–1943

The papers consist of letters written by Nathaniel to his family during his service in the Boer War, a diary for 1900, and an unpublished autobiography written in and before 1943.

Harman, Nathaniel Bishop (1869-1945) author

To his father

SS Catalonia, Table Bay. 250 prisoners are on board thus far. They expect many more. Some family letters have caught up with him. Believes the prisoners are treated too well: they enjoy the same food and accommodation as British and Imperial troops. His dispensary, hospital and daily schedule. A reunion with Orotava officers. Too perfect weather. Is fit and well now.

To his father

Catalonia off Durban. A rolling ship. They are delayed by an outbreak of enteric fever in Ceylon, and he has cases of measles and enteric fever on board. Coaling in port. One of the combatant officers on board, a captain in Lumsden's Horse, is a medical man. A thank you to Miss Marion Lloyd in Pretoria.

To his father

Royal Hotel, Cape Town. After an inoculation against the plague he has been 'seedy in hospital - so "dumped" I had not the pluck to put pen to paper.' But he is better now. A slow, fog-bound trip from Durban. A 'moonbow' seen in the mist. Cases of enteric fever, including Colonel Keogh, his old CO in Pretoria, who is being invalided home. An introduction to 'Professor Simpson, the plague expert', leading to the inoculation. This amounts to wasted suffering, as the Army authorities will not lend him to the Colonial government for anti-plague duties. He is now working in No. 5 General Hospital, Woodstock. Looking for lodgings. The 'Cape doctor' is blowing. Gross neglect, dirt and insanitary conditions all encourage the plague, but the government is resorting to a day of prayer instead of spending some money and taking action. Delighted to hear of Nell's boy.

To his father

HMS Transport Avonmail. Will post this letter at St Vincent. A fine ship, 'in ordinary times it is a cattle liner'. Discussions with a fellow officer about the colours in the South African scenery. Is in medical charge of the transport: a bad accident suffered by a seaman. A PS dated 16 May: smallpox prevents anyone disembarking at St Vincent. He has given the Portuguese authorities some of his vaccine. Will probably be home two or three days after this letter.

To his father

Claremont Sanatorium, Cape Town. Has been sent here by order of the PMO. The Sanatorium is administered by Seventh Day Adventists; it is 'run regardless of expense'. Is much fitter now. Dinners with a Fellow of St John's, an astronomer at the Royal Observatory. A visit to Cecil Rhodes's house. Zulu rickshaw runners. He is going to Ceylon with Boer prisoners on board the Catalonia.

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