A time capsule has been uncovered in a Derbyshire home showing previously unseen images from the Boer War, dating back to as old as 1899.

The time capsule that was owned by soldier, Robert Oliver who collected the rare and broad mix of items was discovered by Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers in Etwall.

Included are never-before seen images of the Boer War showing pictures of slain Boers, a funeral of a British serviceman and a Boer war dog, shedding new light on the war which took place more than a century ago.

The former Staffordshire policeman, Mr Oliver who owned Hartington pub, the Devonshire after leaving the military forces fought in the war in South Africa which started in 1899 and ended in 1902.

Along with the pictures, there are two pairs of children’s gloves, spurs, an ammunition bandolier, caps and hats, Queen's and King's South African medals, a glazed portrait of Robert Oliver, a photo album of roughly 100 unpublished photos of the war, a powder flask, cap badges, an original South African feathered head-dress, a cartridge belt and other items, all dating back to the time of the war.

Photo of a Boer War funeral
Photo of a Boer War funeral

On discovering the lot, Mr Hanson has explained how impressive the capsule is.

He said: “It really is quite an archive. We know from the family that Robert Oliver was quite a rogue in his youth. At the age of 16, he ran away, ending up on a ship to Canada where he found work as a lumberjack.

“The photographs, never seen publicly before, comprise amazing images of a war which took an horrific number of lives.”

Mr Oliver fought in the Boer War in South Africa, which started in 1899 and ended in 1902, and was awarded the Queen's South Africa medal after fighting in Cape Colony, the Orange Free State, the Transvaal and South Africa in 1901 and 1902.

The complete collection has been valued at between £400 and £600 and will go under the hammer at Hansons Auctioneers in Etwall on Tuesday, July 25.

Mr Hanson has claimed that despite the guide price, he thinks the rare collection will sell for closer to £1,000.

This lot will be part of a Militaria sale at the auction house, which is accepting more entries to be sold until Saturday, July 8.

For any further details, contact Charles Hanson on 01283 733988 or email here.

What was the Boer War?

The Boer War was fought between two separate forces, the British Empire and the Boers between 1899 and 1902. The Boers consisted of people from the South African Republic and the Republic of the Orange Free State.

The war began in 1899 and was known by the Boers as the War of Independence, and broke out after Britain rejected an ultimatum from the Boers to end all disputes between the two sides. British troops were demanded to be withdrawn and those embarking to South Africa would not leave. These were all rejected.

The British Army was aided through the war by contingents from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Cape Colony and Natal.

A field of dead Boer War soldiers captured in a photograph
A field of dead Boer War soldiers captured in a photograph

A British lord, Lord Herbert Kitchener, was the first to introduce the idea of a concentration camp, during the Boer War.

Civilians were confined in camps, especially woman and children whose houses had been burnt down by British forces. This was done to reduce the food sources that soldiers would receive as the woman were unable to harvest.

But, poor administration in the camps led to a poor quality of food, unhygienic conditions and inadequate medical arrangements made. Around 28,000 Boer women and children died in the camps.

In all, the war lasted for two years and eight months, beginning on October 11, 1899 and ending on May 31, 1902.