Royal West African Frontier Force
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The West African Frontier Force (RWAFF) was a multi-batallion field force, formed by the British Colonial Office in 1900 to administer the regular colonial forces of West Africa.
Contents
Origins
On formation in 1900, the RWAFF comprised:- Northern Nigeria Regiment - 3 battalions
- Southern Nigeria Regiment - 2 battalions
- The Gold Coast Regiment - 1 battalion
- The Sierra Leone Battalion - 1 battalion
- The Gambia Company - 1 company
First World War (1914-1918)
Under construction.Second World War (1939-1945)
In 1939 the RWAFF was transferred from Colonial Office to War Office control. Under the leadership of General George Giffard (GOC West Africa) the RWAFF served as a cadre for the formation of 81st (West African) Division and 82nd (West African) Division. Both divisions saw service during the Second World War serving in Italian Somaliland, Abyssinia, and Burma. In 1947 the RWAFF reverted to Colonial Office control.Commanders
From 1901-1938 the RWAFF was administered by an Inpsector General. From 1945 the force was administered by a Colonel Commandant.Inspector General
- Brigadier G. V. Kembell, DSO - 1901-1905
- Brevet Colonel T. L. N. Morland, DSO - 1905-1909
- Major-General Sir Percival Spearman Wilkinson, KCMG, CB - 1909-1913
- Brevet Colonel C. M. Dobell, DSO - 1913-1914
- Vacant - 1914-1920
- Colonel A. H. W. Haywood, CMG, CBE, DSO - 1920-1924
- Colonel R. D. F. Oldman, CMG, DSO
- Colonel S. S. Butler, CMG, DSO - 1926-1930
- Vacant - 1930-1932
- Brigadier C. C. Norman, CMG, CBE, DSO - 1932-1936
- General Sir George James Giffard, GCB, DSO - 1936-1938
- Vacant - 1938-1945 (role filled by General Officer Commanding West Africa)
Colonel Commandant
- General Sir George James Giffard, GCB, DSO - 1945-1954
- Brigadier Charles Roger Alan Swynnerton, CB, DSO - 1954-1958
- General Sir Lashmer Gordon Whistler, GCB, KBE, DSO - 1958-1960
RWAFF Disbanded at Independence
In 1959 the British colony of The Gold Coast obtained independence as Ghana and the Gold Coast Regiment was withdrawn from the RWAFF to form the Ghana Regiment of Infantry in the newly independent nation.The RWAFF was fianlly disbanded in 1960 as the British colonies of Nigeria, Sierra Leone and The Gambia moved towards independence.
Reference
- Haywood, A.; and Clarke, F.A.S. The History of the Royal West African Frontier Force. Aldershot: Gale & Polden, 1964.
External Links
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