False Dawn. The Story of Dan Judson, Pioneer

(Bulawayo: Books of Rhodesia, 1974). 8vo; original salmon-coloured boards, lettered in gilt on spine and upper cover; pictorial dustwrapper; pp. (xii) + 230 + (x), incl. index; plates. Spine panel sunned; front free endpaper removed; tape marks and some foxing to endpapers. Absent front free endpaper notwithstanding, good to very good condition. "Dan Judson, whose adventurous youth in Cape Town during the stirring days of the old Cape Colony makes fascinating reading, is perhaps best remembered for his leadership in the Mazoe Patrol episode of the Mashona Rebellion of 1896. This was but one aspect of a full life which centred around his work as a telegraphist when this medium was the foremost means of communication. At the age of 29, he was appointed to reconstruct, reorganise and take charge of the Telegraph in Mashonaland. The accounts of his field work, particularly the many dangerous jobs undertaken in maintaining communications during the Rebellion, are of great interest. He played important roles in the Gwelo laager, on which there is an informative chapter, and with the Charter Patrol. Dan took part in the relief of Mafeking, and was in charge of the Guard of Honour at Rhodes's funeral in the Matopos. In World War I he served in the Balkans for several years with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Although the belated efforts of Judge Vintcent to win recognition for Judson's meritorious part in the Mazoe Patrol were unsuccessful, they bring to light a new facet of this historic event." .