West African Regiment (1898-1928)

Brass badge as worn between 1898 and 1928.

Not a great deal seems to be known about this Regular regiment ofthe British Army, which was raised and served in one of the areas covered by the West African Frontier Force, with which the unit had no connection. Previously, the garrisoning of the West Coast of Africa had been for many years carried out by the West Indian regiments (1705 to 1927), the latter being disbanded a year before the West AfricanRegiment. The W.A.F.F., raised in 1808, then took over the duties.

The West African Regiment was raised mainly from the Mendi tribe, who had not been employed as combatants before this, but seem to have done good work. The officers, as was usual, were seconded from the Line, some from Cavalry, some coming from the West India Regiment, as were the warrant officers and colour sergeants. There were also African sergeants and, from 1903, a British Band Sergeant.

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Reference:

https://www.jstor.org/stable/44222490