Description
Object description
British officer served with Somaliland Camel Corps in British Somaliland 1923-1928; served with 1st Bn Nigeria Regt, Royal West African Frontier Force in Nigeria, British West Africa, 1931-1934
Content description
REEL 1 Recollections of period as officer with Somaliland Camel Corps in British Somaliland, 1923-1929: pattern of military service prior to secondment to Somaliland Camel Corps; background to secondment to Somaliland Camel Corps, 1923; arrival in British Somaliland; first patrol to enforce obedience on Issa Tribe; interview at Colonial Office in London, GB; kitting out and preparatory advice; character of Somalis; introduction of Yaos of B Coy; relations with Somalis of A and C Coys; comparison of character of Yaos with Somalis; punishments for disciplinary offences and Somali rejection of corporal punishment.
REEL 2 Continues: method of recruitment; Somaliland Camel Corps relief efforts during droughts; Somali troops' standard of appearance and uniform; Somali troops' attitude towards unmarried British officers; question of liaisons with Somali women; quelling inter-tribal riots caused by dispute over women at Hargeisa, 1927; further details of question of liaisons with Somali women; mobile role of Somaliland Camel Corps in support of district commissioners; cleanliness of Somalis; example of Somali servant's loyalty; sporting activities; description of daily routine.
REEL 3 Continues: service in A and C Coys; accommodation; Governor's unofficial residence at Sheikh; influences causing British authorities to extend their control throughout British Somaliland; mess life; state of health including inadequate medical facilities, suicides and psychological breakdowns; afternoon recreational activities; learning language and interest in local culture; presence of Indian community; nationalistic and tribal attitudes of Somalis; conditions of service and their attraction.
REEL 4 Continues: story of visit of Maharao of Kutch, attack on his party in Ethiopia and subsequent compensation arrangements; Somaliland Camel Corps's internal security role; relations between Somalis and Ethiopians; operations against Majeerteen Tribe exercising control of Badhan water supply, 1925 including capture of fort, demolition of fort and how Majeerteen Tribe reactions controlled by Somaliland Camel Corps movements; use of Somaliland Camel Corps to force Issa Tribe to co-operate with civil administration, 1923; account of commanding patrol through Haud, 1925 including: pursuit of raiding party, successful action against raiding party, later controversy over having crossed Italian Somaliland border and local tribes' reaction.
REEL 5 Continues: nature of Haud area; illustrations of role and authority of Somaliland Camel Corps; problems caused by widespread possession of arms; influence of British Somaliland Camel Corps officers on local Europeans; sheepskin industry; Somali resentment at efforts to introduce arable crops; campaigns against Sayhid 'The Mad Mullah' Hassan including his increasing fanaticism and story of German armourer working for him. Recollections of period as officer with 1st Bn Nigeria Regt, Royal West African Frontier Force in Nigeria, British West Africa, 1931-1934: reasons for secondment to battalion at Kaduna, 1931; contrast in service with Somaliland Camel Corps; characteristics of specially recruited company of Dakakeri Tribe he commanded.
REEL 6 Continues: use of battalion to counter police mutiny at Lagos including emergency move and deployment, success in disarming police and fears of crime wave; Dakakeri reaction to Lagos, sea and ships; reactions of Africans who had visited London, GB; Dakakeri company's unique status as single tribal unit; reasons Dakakeri learnt Hausa language; secondment to civil administration for anti-locust campaign at Zungeru, 1933; preparing poisoned bait for locusts; description of locust swarm.
