[Agnes Cowper's elder brother Willie emigrated to South Africa in 1900. The listening experience is taken from a letter he wrote to his mother about his initial experiences, dated 22 May 1900.  He was engaged by the Cape Town Metropolitan Fire Brigade, which was enlisted with the South African irregular forces during the Boer War.]

We have had great times here, as the public went frantic with joy and Baden-Powell is simply worshipped. We held ‘Mafeking Day’ here yesterday and it was a public holiday. Ten of us from the station were detailed to attend the Church Parade in full uniform—brass helmets, belt, axe and life-line. We formed the Lord Mayor’s escort and marched five on each side of him, preceded by the mace-bearer and followed by the Councillors in procession, first to the Town Hall and thence to the Church where a great thanksgiving service was held, to the accompaniment of a fine choir. Afterwards we marched back to the Town Hall […] The whole town was decorated and, at night, illuminated, and from early morn to late night Cape Town re-echoed the strains of “God Save the Queen” and “Rule Britannia.”