In The Ranks Of The C.I.V: A Narrative And Diary Of Peronal Experiences With The C.I.V Battery (Honourable Artillery Company) In South Africa

Published by Naval and Military Press, 2009, softcover. facsimile reprint of the 1901 edition,  softcover, 299 pages, condition: as new.

A facsimile edition of the celebrated Edwardian author's personal diary of service with the CIV artillery battery (Honourable Artillery Company) in the Orange Free State and Transvaal at the end of the conventional war - and the beginning of guerrilla operations.

The City of London Imperial Volunteers

After the outbreak of the Second Boer War in October 1899, volunteer corps were established in most counties of the United Kingdom to provide officers and men for service in South Africa. In December a proposal was put forward that the City of London should sponsor a volunteer troop of soldiers to take part in the conflict. The Lord Mayor, Alfred James Newton was approached by Colonel Boxall on the subject and within days he had reached agreement with various City livery companies, bankers, merchants and the Court of Common Council to support and fund the venture. A corps of Imperial volunteers to be raised and equipped by the City of London was authorized by Royal Warrant dated 24 December 1899 with the name City of London Imperial Volunteers - CIV for short. The corps included an infantry division, a mounted infantry division, and a field battery (artillery) division. The infantry and mounted infantry divisions were composed of about 1,400 men recruited mainly from existing volunteer regiments in London and Middlesex, while the artillery division was composed of about 150 men recruited from the Honourable Artillery Company and the City of London Artillery forming a battery of four 12½ pounder quick-firing guns, manufactured by Messrs Vickers' Sons & Maxim.