Petticoat in Mafeking - John F. Midgley

The Siege Letters of Ada Cock

It was at Mafeking, on the expiry of President Paul Krugers ultimatum, that hostilities commenced during the South African War with the first clash of arms at Kraaipan during the encirclement of the town by the Boer forces. Among those who had taken refuge in Mafeking were Ada Cock and her husband Willie with their four small children. The story of the ensuing seven months siege from October, 1899 to May, 1900 is well known, nevertheless the finding of Ada Cocks letters provides a welcome addition to the body of literature already available on this much publicised episode of the War.

The contents of these letters, which are essentially a record of Adas own experiences and observations, have been amplified seriatim by Dr Midgley to give a detailed description of the course of events endured by the besieged and the besiegers as a whole. A deal of thought was given by him as to the more desirable and effective method of presentation, whether by way of annotations assembled and numbered at the end of all the letters, with bulk packaging of illustrations, or after each individual letter. With the convenience of readers in mind and with the co-operation of the printers, he decided on the latter procedure and the placing of illustrations were most relevant.

Colonel Robert Baden-Powell was unquestionably the hero and central figure of the siege, and in view of a recent publication belittling him, the Editor of these letters of Ada Cock has riposted with a vindication of his decision to hold on to Mafeking and of his conduct of the defence.