A WRITER researching a book about the Boer War is asking for any Dorset families with relatives involved in the conflict to share any stories, letters, photos or medals.

Jane Robins is writing Pen And Sword, a book about the soldiers of the Boer War that is due to be published next year.

She said: “I’m particularly interested in the lives of ordinary soldiers during the war and of their families in its aftermath. If their husbands died or came home disabled.”

Around 22,000 British soldiers died in South Africa during the conflict with 90 men from the Dorset Regiment remembered on a plaque at Sherborne Abbey and others at various churches around the county.

Jane is keen to remember those men who served their country so bravely and is keen to hear from anyone who has any items or information relating to relatives in the conflict to email her at jane_robins@hotmail.co.uk.