Talana Account and Medal Roll

Author - David J Biggins

Publisher - Token Publishing Ltd: 2012

A new quarto hardback book with illustrated boards. No dustjacket, as issued.

The Battle of Talana Hill also known as the Battle of Dundee due to the  proximity of that town, was the first major battle between the British and the Boers. Coal was an integral part of the British Empire's battle plans as it powered the locomotives that moved the troops - the Boers were actually aware of this and so the mining town of Dundee became a focal point for both sides. Under the command of Lieutenant General Penn-Symons British infantry, supported by heavy artillery fire, succeeded in driving the Boers from their hilltop position, but at great cost, including the life of Penn-Symons.

In this book, Biggins looks at the battle that gave the Boers hope and made the  British realise that the South African farmers were a force to be reconned with and that perhaps victory in this war might not be the easy task they had first envisaged.

The book is both an account of this battle, and its aftermath, and a roll of those who took part, including all of those who received the "Talana" clasp for the Queen's South Africa Medal, as well as lists of those British and Colonial forces killed, wounded or taken prisoner during the battle. It also includes a list of the 49 Boers killed at Talana.

Also featured are numerous, hitherto unpublished, photographs and personal accounts of the events before, during and after the battle. 

A battle that both sides considered to be a victory.

Pages x + 547. 

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