Boer War P.O.W. Art

[Mervyn Mitton]

During the period of the Boer War - 1899-1902 - the British sent many prisoners to Colonies. These included St. Helena,

Bermuda, Ceylon and India. Handiwork and other hobbies were allowed to prisoners and some remarkable pieces were

made with simple tools - usually just a small knife, which was permitted.

One of the favourite materials to be used, were the silver coins in the prisoner's pocket at the time of capture. They had a

particular style of decorating the coin - scratching with the point of the blade to put a hat on Paul Kruger. He was the President

and his effigy was on one side. Boers - now Afrikaans - are a conservative people and in a formal setting, they invariably wear

a hat - even today.

Kruger's head was uncovered on the coins and I think many of his men thought this was disrespectful to him. Certainly, when

they had coins they carved a hat for him. They also liked to show a Meershaum pipe.

This interesting item is a combination of two coins - the larger one is a British Florin or, 2/- piece. This was probably bartered

for in India or, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) - it is a middle period head of Queen Victoria - probably around 1860. Well worn,

which is why I think India. The POW must have had a Boer Republic 3d (three pence coin) - these were known as 'tickeys'.

He has fixed this onto the British coin, with Kruger's head at the top. He has drawn a three sided box around the Tickey - with

arrow points at the bottom - not sure of the significance of this - perhaps to show he was a prisoner ?

Kruger's head has been given a hat and he also now has a pipe.

An interesting item from around 115 years ago - how things have changed in that comparitively short time............

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_07_2013/post-6209-0-87757900-1374675773.jpgclick

[Mervyn Mitton]

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_07_2013/post-6209-0-57122200-1374675897.jpgclick

[Mervyn Mitton]

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_07_2013/post-6209-0-39071800-1374676003.jpgclick