Framed piece of siege bread, 1900 (c)

This plaque is inscribed 'Siege Bread Ladysmith 1899-1902'. Its frame appears to be constructed from a packing case and bears the badge of the Army Ordnance Corps.

The Siege of Ladysmith was one of the most famous incidents of the Boer War (1899-1902). It began on 30 October 1899. The ration issued until 17 November for each of Ladysmith's 21,000 inhabitants was 1 1/4lb bread or 1lb biscuit; 1 1/4lb fresh meat or 1lb preserved; 1oz coffee or 1/2oz tea; 3oz sugar; 1/2oz salt; 1.36oz pepper; 1oz compressed vegetables or 1/2oz potatoes. There were occasional issues of jam, cheese and bacon. By January 1900 the Assistant-Adjutant-General had also collected 1,700 slaughter cattle, 5,500 horses, 4,500 mules and 14,000 tins of condensed milk. The siege was finally raised on 28 February 1900.