Synopsis
At the age of thirty-five a freshly heart broken Cornish spinster throws herself into charitable philanthropy work in South Africa. she is trying to change the circumstances of suffering women and children she has witnessed herded into the disease ridden British concentration camps of the Boer War.
Her written report about the appalling conditions and the death rates of the women and mostly children receives public damnation back at home in the jingoist atmosphere of the British public, she is shouted down at meetings and ridiculed and accused of being a traitor but she obstinately pereseveres, Kitchener called her 'that damned woman'. This story tells of the affect she had on a particular boer widow whose history is riddled with famine disease and heartbreak, her farm burnt to the ground, all livestock and crops destroyed by the english she is alone with six children. Our Boer Widow's life is turned around by a chance meeting with this angel from England.
This is the story of courage determination and hope in the face of all adversity.
Yes the Cornish spinster was born in the village next to mine, her story is remarkable and largely unknown in the UK. I am a descendant of a Boer Family that suffered terribly in the Concentration camps. Much research is still needed but its bare bones of a fantastic story that I am really looking forward to writing. Thanks for commenting.
This sounds like a powerful story. Is it based on real events? I'm afraid my knowledge of the Boer war is rather poor.