Boer War camp bed set up for auction

A rare fold up camp bed which was used in South Africa during the Boer War has been uncovered in a house in Derby.

Charles Hanson, manager fo Hansons Auctioneers and as seen on BBC1 Bargain Hunt reported, 'we can only imagine the scenes the camp bed witnessed during the hot evenings and dark nights of the Boer War in South Africa.

The Boer War camp bed was used by Frederick Charles Simpson of Derby who later became Colour Sergeant in the Great War (1914-18).

Born in 1887. Frederick Charles Simpson was in the Sherwood Foresters.

The camp bed really is quite remarkable commented Mr Hanson. At the time of the Boer War (1899-1902) the Boers fought under Paul Kruger. British Garrisons in the towns of Ladysmith, Mafeking and Kimberley were besieged. The British suffered three bloody defeats in one week from 10-15 December 1899. With the arrival of Lord Roberts to South Africa in February 1900, the situation improved for the British and the Boers were finally defeated by May 1902. Over 22,000 British troops had been killed

The camp bed could certainly tell a story commented Mr Hanson and despite beng relatively comfortable I suspect private Frederick Charles Simpson slept in fear of what the following day may bring.

The archive discovered in a house in Derby also includes a photograph of a South African zulu father and his 'belle of the village' daughter together with an interesting collection of letters Private Simpson wrote back to his wife Amy.

Remarkably commented Mr Hanson is Private Simpson's shopping list of furnishings he ordered from The Midland Furnishings Stores at 31 and 33 Midland Road Derby which he purchased for the grand sum of £13 10s and 3d which he bought following his marriage in 1908. A sofa was purchased for £1 1s and a bedstead for £1 10s.

The camp bed which would have been set up under the great South African stars and on the vast rural plains is expected to sell for up to £200.

It is quite a talking point reported Charles Hanson and with such a provenance will appeal to worldwide collectors.

The archive and camp bed will be sold in Hansons auction on 17-18 August at The Mackworth Hotel.

Viewing for the auction will be on Tuesday 16 August 11am-7pm.

For further details telephone Hansons on 01283 733988 or view www.hansonsauctioneers.co.uk.