Siege - David Humphry

Manchester 1976. The oldest living Victoria Cross holder, and the last survivor of three friends who went to do their duty for Queen and country in the Boer War, collapses at a Remembrance Sunday service. A young newspaper reporter is assigned to cover the story and, as a result, is treated to a unique first-hand insight into life before and during the siege of Ladysmith, in a long forgotten war fought over three quarters of a century earlier.Natal 1899. Britain and her empire are at war with the Boer republics of the Transvaal and Orange Free State. Three old school friends, Privates Charlie Browell, Walter Shawcross and Frank Hoyland are involved in their first armed conflict, which will leave one of them dead and another the proud recipient of Britain’s highest gallantry award, the Victoria Cross.As the twentieth century beckons, this last great imperial war will have far reaching consequences for many people, including the van Oppen family, riding together in the service of the Transvaal Republic; Sarah Dyson, a volunteer nurse who finds love amidst death, disease and deprivation; Ada Dunkley, matriarch of a prominent Ladysmith family, left shattered by the tragedy of murder, and Joseph Ncube, a fifteen year old Zulu boy disillusioned when his loyalty and courage are quickly forgotten.