Servo-Bulgarian War 1885-1886
Production date
1885-1886
Description
Reports and correspondence relating the work of the National Society during the Servo-Bulgarian war.
Collection Type
Archives
Level of Current Record
sub-fonds
History
After the close of the Russo-Turkish war and the resulting Congress of Berlin in 1878, Bulgaria was divided into two; a semi-autonomous state under Prince Alexander of Battenberg and the smaller state of Eastern Rumelia. After an uprising in Eastern Rumelia, Prince Alexander unified Bulgaria by putting down this rebellion. This unified Bulgaria caused a change in the shape of the power structure in the Balkans, leading to the invasion by Serbia in November 1885.
The National Society made enquiries into the assistance they could offer but found that Germany, Austria, Hungary, the Austrian Maltese Order and the Austrian Teutonic Order along with local Red Cross societies were all co-operating in the provision of material and personnel. To offer some assistance the National Society sent Mr Kennett-Barrington as commissioner for Bulgaria and Major General Laurie as commissioner for Serbia each with a small staff.
Mr. Kennett-Barrington established a central depot to organize the distribution of supplies, mainly of warm clothes and hospital equipment to send to both sides and to offer to the other aid societies, and Major Laurie helped to establish a hospital in Belgrade.
After a decisive battle at Slivnitsa where Bulgaria forced the Serbians to retreat a ceasefire was signed in February 1879. The result of this war finally acknowledged the unification of Bulgaria.
The National Society made enquiries into the assistance they could offer but found that Germany, Austria, Hungary, the Austrian Maltese Order and the Austrian Teutonic Order along with local Red Cross societies were all co-operating in the provision of material and personnel. To offer some assistance the National Society sent Mr Kennett-Barrington as commissioner for Bulgaria and Major General Laurie as commissioner for Serbia each with a small staff.
Mr. Kennett-Barrington established a central depot to organize the distribution of supplies, mainly of warm clothes and hospital equipment to send to both sides and to offer to the other aid societies, and Major Laurie helped to establish a hospital in Belgrade.
After a decisive battle at Slivnitsa where Bulgaria forced the Serbians to retreat a ceasefire was signed in February 1879. The result of this war finally acknowledged the unification of Bulgaria.
Catalogue Number
WAN/9