13 JULY 1901, Page 24

SOME BOOKS OF THE WEEK.

[Under this heading we notice such Books of the week os hats not been reserved for review in other forms.]

The Oxfcrdshire Light Infantry in South Africa. Edited by Lieutenant-Colonel A. F. Mockler-Ferryman. (Eyre and Spottiswoode. 5s.)—The First Battalion Oxfordshire Light Infantry (the old 43rd) was left out when the first Army Corps was mobilised, on account of the paucity of its reserves (which had dwindled from 1,015 in December, 1893, to 361 in 1897). This difficulty, however, was overcome, and the regiment embarked for South Africa on December 22nd, 1899. It mustered 660 men (270 under age or unfit for service in the field proceeding to Limerick ; the colours were left in Christ Church Cathedral). The regiment arrived shortly after Lord Roberts and took part in the great advance. It came into action at Klip Kraal, a very sharp fight, though it wanted the wages saeer of the war-correspondent, and again at Paardeberg. But it is needless to follow the history of the corps ; it is written elsewhere ; let it suffice to say that it is worthy of its great traditions. The roll of casualities was :— Killed in action and died of wounds, 29; died of disease (includ- ing two accidents), 84; wounded, 95. Three officers were among the killed, Major Day (he received his death-wound from an explosive bullet as he was being carried off the field at Paarde- berg), Lieutenant A. R. Bright, and Second Lieutenant V. A. Ball-Acton. The honours, apart from medals and clasps, were one C.B. and two D.S.O.'s, while two sergeants (Frank Hudson and F. Colquhoun) had commissions given to them.— With this we may mention an interesting Souvenir of the Home- coming of the South African Contingent of the Volunteer Battalion Devonshire Regiment. (Western Morning News.)—The company made itself very useful in various ways, the most serious fight in which it took part being at Almond's Nek, June 10th, 1900. There wine eight deaths, and forty were invalided home The Si,uvenir contains various interesting details, with photo-

11"Thlk