Description
Manuscript book of poems dated 14th April 1897-c.1930?, 8vo, 161 hand-written pages, many poems apparently composed by Dey, with others being copies, subjects include the 1881 Battle of Majuba Hill, a tribute to 'George Stewart [George Stewart McLennan?] (late Pipe Major)', love, reminiscences of schooldays and other works concerning the regiment's history
Footnote
Note: The title-page of the book reads: "Lance Corpl William Duthie Dey, "H." coy. 92nd Gordon Highlanders. Aldershot 14th April 1897". However, the text seems to have been written over many years, hence the poem dedicated to George McLennan, who died in 1929. William Duthie Dey possibly died in Johannesburg in 1936, having reached the rank of sergeant - this would have made him a man in his late fifties at least at his time of death, if he were an adult when the journal was begun.