Lot 2993A

Description

South Africa, Boer War, Uppington Border Scouts, emergency paymaster issue by Major Birkbeck, for five pounds, on cloth, signed by Birkbeck, dated 1.2.02 (unlisted in Pick but would be P.S716). Good fine and probably unique.

This very rare emergency issue was created by the Uppington Border Scouts towards the end of the Second Boer War. Initially issued on paper but when this was exhausted any cloth material on hand was used. Major Birkbeck made the decision to make his own money to pay the troops as the authorities were unable to get money through safely. As few men could read inks of different colours were used for each value.