description
Object description
British officer in Northamptonshire Regt seconded to Nigeria Regt, King's African Rifles in Nigeria 1935-1940, East Africa 1940-1942 and Sierra Leone 1943
Content description
REEL 1 Reasons for application to Nigeria Regiment, Royal West African Frontier Force, 1935. Acceptance despite waiting lists. Length of tours and appropriateness for health reasons. Construction of temporary camp for exercises at Kachia, Nigeria on arrival illustrating independence and experience required. Tsetse fly problem. Role of outfitters in kitting out. African troops: guidance in handling them; qualities; illustrations of enthusiasm and loyalty.
REEL 2 African troops' wives: number allowed; food arrangements; head women. African troops' discipline: story of drunken soldier; confinement to barracks; corporal punishment; minimal restrictions off duty. Vital role of British NCOs. Question of learning Hausa or teaching English. BNCOs' and African NCOs' role in training. Recruitment and tribal recruiting policy. African recruits' training. Military and social aspects of annual Kaduna fortnight.
REEL 3 Daily routine as adjutant at Enugu: duties; exercise and recreation; weekend social life. Social and official contacts with European civilians. European and African hospitals. African troops' recreations and leave. Local leave. Visits to Abiakulu races. African servants: wages; servant's jealousy towards Ennals' wife; reaction on leaving; uniforms. Accommodation. Social protocol.
REEL 4 Preferences in Nigeria postings. Mess games. Description of wife's lifestyle. Coincidental contact with another Ennals. British officers' wives' return home on pregnancy and generally shortened stays in Nigeria. Attitude to liaisons with African women. Internal security: precautions; internment of Germans, 1939; Sierra Leone prison riots, 1943. Return to GB, 1939. Preparations for war. African troops' reactions and performance on posting to East Africa, 1940. Ennals' postings in Nigeria. Invalided out of RWAFF and description of Hausa farewell, 1943. Career of Chari Maigumeri.
REEL 5 Continues career of Chari Maigumeri and stories illustrating his character. Story illustrating African troops' attitude. Stories of African prisoners assisting at polo club.
