The long-lost diary of a Bradford soldier which details a 118-day siege during the Boer War is expected to fetch hundreds of pounds at auction this week.

Sydney Herbert Thompson, whose family lived in Marlborough Road, Mann-ingham, gave a unique insight into the wartime drama in the 55-page diary he wrote for his mother.

Mr Thompson, then 24, was one of thousands of British soldiers trapped for four months at the Ladysmith garrison in northern Natal, South Africa, between November 27, 1899, and March 1, 1900. He survived the siege and returned home to work as a clerk, after posting the diary back to his mother Sylvia in Bradford.

The fate of the diary was shrouded in mystery until it was discovered by West Yorkshire antiquarian Alex Jackson when he obtained a book collection from a warehouse, Hardaker of Brad-ford, during the 1970s.

He stored the diary with his archives in Leeds but has now decided to sell it because he can no longer afford to keep his originals after investing in digital copies.

Mr Jackson, 58, said the diary, written in pencil, was in its original envelope and, although the writing was slightly faint in places, it was in very good condition.

It gives a full account of the siege, including first-hand descriptions of shelling attacks, and statistical information.

Mr Thompson, who signed himself as Herbo, recounts how cavalry horses had to be shot for food, the soldiers had a day off to sleep and wash because the Boers did not fight on Sundays and how two war balloons would be sent up daily.

The diary gives details of day-to-day life with Mr Thompson saying he is used to the shelling except when really close.

It talks about how beautiful the weather is, mentioning the good spirits of the soldiers, but later telling of the increased suffering from shortage of food and other supplies, and fin-ally how Lady-smith was relie-ved on March 1, 1900 Mr Jackson said the diary was unique.

"The auctioneers have not come across any diaries of a siege like this before," he said. "It has been given an estimated value of between £300 and £500 but I think that is conservative.

"I would be pleased if it fetched four figures."

The last page of the diary says that the siege is over and refers to the soldiers being allowed to go home.

Mr Jackson said: "He must have survived the siege because the census of 1901 shows that he was working as a clerk.

"But what happened to him after that we don't know.

"I would guess that the diary was kept in the family home until for some reason the family estate was split up.

"I would guess Mr Hard-aker then got the books."

The 1901 census showed Mr Thompson had been born in Austria like his mother who was then aged 46, and he had a brother Alfred, 22, and 11-year-old sister, Hilda.

"I have not had time to research him any further but I would like to know more about him and about Hardaker of Bradford," said Mr Jackson.

"If any family of either of them are surviving it could tell us more about Mr Thompson and his fate."

l If you know any more about Mr Thompson and his diary call the T&A newsdesk on (01274) 705349.

e-mail: steve.wright@bradford.newsquest.co.uk

FROM THE FRONT LINE TO MUM: EXTRACTS FROM HERBO'S DIARY

My Dearest Mother, First of all I am safe & sound in the best of health and although I have had many narrow shaves have not been hit yet. At the present moment the Boers are all around us, in fact have been here since the end of last month..

p2/3 (undated): Sir George White has orders to hold Ladysmith until further orders which he is doing. The Boers have 21 guns around here at present all in jolly good positions and fresh arrivals coming daily The Boers do not fight on Sundays so that gives us a day off, which means a long sleep and a swim

p6 (undated): All our Coffee shops & Grocery Bars are sold out and we only have our rations Bread + meat Tea + Coffee.

p31 (undated): Am getting very little to eat with the usual result am getting thin. Most of my pity is for my horse. I am often sure he often wonders what has happened quite a miserable look

p33 Saturday, December 23/99: Tomorrow is Xmas Eve how different to other Xmas Eves I remember... A shell burst in the regiment yesterday wounded five officers & a sergeant major killed four horses

January 6 /1900: Heavy firing all around this morning..

p38 January 9 /00: In the fight. We lost 126 killed 247 wounded the Boers seemed very determined to take a hill which commands Ladysmith. We managed to drive them back.

p50 March 11, 1900: Ladysmith relieved. Cavalry and convoy came in. Today makes the 120 day a record siege

Your loving son Herbo