Baden-Powell

The early campaigns of a famous British soldier and Chief Scout Robert Baden-Powell is internationally famous as the founder of the worldwide Boy Scout movement, but he first came to the attention of the British public when he commanded besieged the British force during the 217 day siege of Mafeking during the Second Boer War. The beleaguered garrison held out against the numerically superior Boers until it was eventually relieved by troops under Colonel Mahon of Roberts' command. The successful defence of the town led to Baden-Powell being elevated to the rank of Major-General and made him a national hero. Born in 1857, he joined the army in 1876 as a lieutenant in the 13th Hussars. He was first posted to India and then to Natal Province, South Africa where his service earned him mentions in dispatches and promotion. In 1896, he served in the Second Matabele War in Rhodesia, taking part in the expedition to relieve Bulawayo and in reconnaissance work into tribal territory. He served in the Fourth Ashanti War and in 1897, at the age of 40, went on to became the British Army's youngest colonel. He later commanded the 5th Dragoon Guards and returned briefly to India. This unique Leonaur book features Baden-Powell's own accounts of the early campaigns of his military career when his soldiering was very much the 'hands-on' business of the middle ranking British officer. Leonaur editions are newly typeset and are not facsimiles; each title is available in softcover and hardback with dustjacket.