Gambia Regiment

Throughout 1900 and 1901, the Gambia had experienced an insurgency against British colonial rule, which was eventually suppressed by a military expedition, known as the Gambia Field Force, under Lieutenant Colonel H. E. Brake. It consisted of soldiers from the West India Regiment and the Central Africa Regiment.[1] With the West African Frontier Force (WAFF) being founded in 1898, the Colonial Office made the decision to raise a company in The Gambia, initially to be part of the Sierra Leone Battalion.[2][3] Captain F. O. Graham of the Royal Marines oversaw its creation, with it formally being founded on 30 November 1901. Lieutenant Hoskyns of the Lincolnshire Regiment and Sergeant Noble of the Coldstream Guards, along with Graham, recruited a group of 75 Mendes from Sierra Leone to form part of the company.[4] Lieutenant Morley of the Manchester Regiment and Colour Sergeant Wheatcroft of the Worcester Regiment oversaw the training of the Gambian native recruits.[5]

By 2 February 1902, the company had reached its full strength of 120 men. One quarter were native Gambians with the remaining number being from Sierra Leone. In April, the Inspector General inspected the company, and it was reported on very creditably. On 16 April, a detachment of the company under Graham, escorted the Governor to punish some native Gambians in Bita Village, a Jola settlement in (Foni Bintang Karanai) District. During this period, Captain E. H. Hopkinson served as the Medical Officer. Later in 1902, the company was formally separated from the Sierra Leone Battalion.[5] Throughout the following years, the initial Mende recruits were replaced with recruits from local tribes, primarily being Mandinka or Jollof, but also some Fula and Bambara.[4]

In 1906, Captain Hastings of the Manchester Regiment replaced Graham as the company's commanding officer, and Lieutenant Heeles of the Royal Field Artillery replaced Morley.[6] 1907 saw the company issued with SMLE (Lee-Enfield) rifles to replace their carbines.[7] In March 1908, Captain R. D. F. Oldman succeeded Hastings as commander of the company, with Lieutenants Hasketh-Smith and J. A. Savage of the Northamptonshire Regiment joined the company in July.[8] In January 1910, Lieutenant F. V. Manger of the Durham Light Infantry replaced Hasketh-Smith. In September that year, Captain H. T. Dobbin of the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry took over command from Oldman, with Captain V. B. Thurston of the Dorset Regiment replacing Savage and Freman of the Royal Artillery taking Manger's place.[9]

At the outbreak of World War I, the Gambia Company had the strength of around 130 soldiers. Hamilton described it as "possibly the Empire's smallest 'regiment'."[10] In September 1914, the signallers were dispatched to take part in the Kamerun campaign. Half the company under Captain V. B. Thurston was dispatched in January 1915, and the other half under H. G. V. M. Freeman was dispatched in September 1915. This left the Gambia Constabulary to garrison the colony.[11]

The detachment from the company formed part of Haywood's column in April 1915, to serve as a preliminary to the Allied advance on Yaoundé. During the 3 May attack on heavily entrenched positions at Wumbiagas, Lieutenant K. Markham-Rose of the Gambia Company was killed.[12] Company Sergeant Major Ebrima Jalu won the African Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) for his actions during the battle. During fighting around the village of Ngog later in the campaign, The Gambia Company's Lieutenant A. E. Coombs was wounded and later Mentioned in Dispatches (MiD).[13] During later stages of fighting, two other Gambian soldiers, Private Saljen Sidibi and Sergeant Sambah Bah were awarded the DCM. They were also mentioned in dispatches, as was Captain Thurston.[11]

Sir Hilary Blood, Governor of the Gambia, inspecting a guard of honour provided by Gambia Regiment soldiers, c. 1940s.

In December 1916, the Gambia Company formed part of the Nigerian Brigade that was dispatched to German East Africa. In August 1917, the company moved with the brigade up to Kilwa Kisiwani, and in September the brigade advanced on the western flank of the main British force. Prior to the Battle of Mahiwa from 15 to 17 October 1917, the company had been dispatched 4 miles (6.4 km) to the south-east to Nyangao, to intercept a possible German retreat.[14] The Gambian column, which included a detachment from the Nigerian Battery, came under heavy opposition, but set up perimeter defences to block the route. The next day, however, it was asked to return to Mahiwa to reinforce the main brigade.[15] Realising that the brigade had become surrounded, Roberts, the commander of the Gambian column, took control of the forces of 1 Battalion, Nigerian Regiment, which were in disarray. They formed a front against the German attack, with half of the Gambia Company spread among them, and the other half of the company sent to defend the Nigerian guns.[16]

The greatest intensity of the German attacks was on the force's right flank, with the half of the Gambia Company protecting the guns heavily outnumbered. After sustaining severe casualties, it was forced to retreat. Eventually, Roberts' force withdrew to Nahumpa Mission.[16] Two drafts reinforced the Gambia Company over the course of the East Africa campaign.[11] On 8 April 1918, the company returned to Bathurst, and in November a review was held to celebrate the Armistice. In December, the Governor presented the following medals to members of the company: the DCM to Company Sergeant Major Saisey, Corporal George Thomas, and Corporal Dembah Krubali; the African Meritorious Service Medal to Interpreter Karifa Dembeli. On 1 June 1919, Captain H. T. C. Strange took over command from Law.[17] The Gambia Memorial in Banjul contains the names of nine Gambian soldiers who died during World War I.[13]

Following the end of World War One, the unit retained its single company strength.[18] The Army Council issued an instruction in 1920 calling for more officers for the Royal West African Frontier Force, including for the Gambia Company. The requirements were that the candidates should be older than 22, officers of the regular army or reserves, and unmarried on taking the appointment.[19] The West African Frontier Force (WAFF) received royal patronage in 1928, becoming the Royal West African Frontier Force (RWAFF).[20] In 1935, with increasing tension in Africa, it was decided to retain the Gambia Company for local defence.[21] It was then decided that it should raise an additional reserve company.[22] In 1937, the company won the Africa Cup of the Army Rifle Association, the first time it had been one by a RWAFF unit that was not from the Nigeria Regiment.[23] In 1940, mention was first made of a Gambia Regiment FC that played against other local association football teams.[24]

As the rise of fascism in Europe was witnessed during the 1930s, and particularly following the Second Italo-Ethiopian War, plans were put in place to provide an RWAFF expeditionary force of two brigades in the event of war. When war broke out, these plans were put into effect, and eventually 28 battalions were formed, alongside light batteries, AA batteries, and all the arms and services which are required to form a brigade.[25] The Gambia was under particular threat as it was completely surrounded by Vichy French territory. The Gambia Company was raised to the strength of a battalion in early 1940, and renamed as the Gambia Regiment.[26] In 1941, a second battalion was formed that remained on the home front for the duration of the war.[2] It was claimed that the two battalions enlisted in the Gambia was the highest proportion of the four British colonies in West Africa.[27]

Advance into Kaladan Valley, January–March 1944

Patch of the 81st (West Africa) Division, to which the 1st Battalion, Gambia Regiment was attached.

In January 1944, 1st Battalion, Gambia Regiment, formed a key part of the advance into Kaladan Valley in Burma. The battalion moved on the left of the British force, following a "jeepable" track that allowed the Brigade headquarters to follow, all the way to Paletwa. The battalion met light resistance at Murgai from Japanese forces, but swiftly dealt with them. The final bound to Milawa-Sepawaung was completed on 22 January, firstly by the Gambia Regiment and later in the day by 4th Battalion, Nigeria Regiment. Patrols found Paletwa clear of enemy, but when the advance on the town began on the 24 January, Japanese were found to be well dug-in on two hills that mutually supported each other. The plan of attack was for the Nigerians to surround the position and then attack with a company from the north west, with artillery support from the 3rd Light Battery and the mortars of the Gambia and Sierra Leone regiments. The east flank was to be watched by the Sierra Leone Regiment and the Gambia Regiment was put in brigade reserve. The attack failed, but patrols the next day found that the Japanese had evacuated their positions.[28]

After moving up, reports reached the brigade that the enemy was concentrated on the Kreinggyaung-Bidonegyaungwa-Kaladan line. By this time, the 5th (West Africa) Infantry Brigade was moving through the valley to support the 6th Brigade. On 4 February, the Japanese launched their counter-attack. The Gambia Regiment was positioned 3 miles (4.8 km) north of Kaladan Village on the west bank of the river. On 6 February, the Gambia Regiment, slowly advancing on Kaladan Village, found that the Japanese were strongly entrenched in a commanding position. The next day, they launched an attack but the dense jungle meant co-operation was difficult and no progress was made. On 10 February, all three light batteries had arrived to support the battalion, and with fire support another attack was launched, which resulted in a small advance. The day after, another attack was made, but again failed. By this time discouraged, no further progress was made by the battalion until 15 February, when patrols found the Japanese had vacated its positions, having left in boats overnight.[29]

By 19 February, the battalion had moved to attempt to establish a bridgehead across the Pi Chaun river at its confluence with the Kaladan. It was facing stiff opposition, but needed to do this on order to come in on the rear of the Japanese forces that were holding up the advance of the 5th Brigade. On 23 February, the battalion succeeded in crossing the Pi Chaun at Walagan, and by 24 February the whole of Taungdaun and Kyauktaw were in British hands.[30] The Gambia Regiment was then put in reserve as the 6th Brigade advanced, but on 1–2 March evidence emerged of a Japanese counter-offensive, as the Scout Battalion was pushed back to Pagoda Hill. The Gambia Regiment was dispatched to hold the hill at all costs, and the Division's orders were changed from a further advance to holding the ground they already had.[30]

The battalion was in position on the hill on 2 March, but were disadvantaged by having its companies dispersed so far apart. The Japanese were able to infiltrate the Gambian positions during the night and on dawn on 3 March, they attacked. Control broke down in the battalion, and, unable to take effective action, was overwhelmed by the Japanese and forced to retreat. A "gallant defence" was put up by members of the battalion, but to no avail.[30] Though the 1st Battalion, Sierra Leone Regiment had broken through to reinforce the Gambians, and though the Scout Battalion and Gambia Regiment were regrouping near Pagoda Hill, divisional command made the decision not to attempt to retake the hill.[31]

Following the end of the Second World War, in 1945 the two battalions of the Gambia Regiment were demobilised and selected elements were combined to form a single company again.[2] This was called 'G' Company, and officially formed part of the Sierra Leone Battalion.[3] The Cape St Mary's Barracks in the Gambia became known as Frontier Hill as a tribute to the May 1944 fighting around Mowdok.[36] On 10 February 1950, the Gambia Regiment was reconstituted as a separate entity, but to be maintained in peacetime at the strength of one company, known as 'A' Company. In April 1951, colours were presented to the regiment.[37] In January 1957, the colony received Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and, despite their limited resources, "carried out the necessary ceremonial and hospitality with commendable skill."[38]

In 1953, the British held a Conference on West African Forces in Lagos, Nigeria. This conference resolved "to provide for an increasing flow of African officers into the West African forces", but no places were reserved at Sandhurst for Gambian soldiers. The conference also made plans for the distribution of two regular commissioned and two short service officers, but by 1955 these had not been carried out.[39] In September 1956, a proposal was presented to transfer the Regiment to local government control, with some financial support from the UK. The British government agreed in March 1957, but pointed out that due to the economic situation in the Gambia, the country could not be asked to increase its contributions to the maintenance of the regiment. Economic problems in the UK led to a reassessment, and later that year the Treasury said that within three years the Gambia would have to take full responsibility for its armed forces.[39]

According to Vidler, "the prospect of maintaining the Regiment in the context of limited resources proved decisive."[39] It was decided that an armed police wing would be cheaper and therefore a more sensible security option. The proposal to disband the regiment was not resisted by the country's elite or by the press.[39] In 1958, the Governor of the Gambia, Percy Wyn-Harris, recommended that the Gambia Regiment was disbanded for financial reasons.[2] The strength of the unit on 31 December 1957 was reported to be five British officers, two British enlisted, and 161 African enlisted. The regiment was progressively reduced from 1 January to 31 March after which it was to be placed in a state of "suspended animation".[40] In December 1957, prior to its disbandment, then-Secretary of State for the Colonies Alan Lennox-Boyd sent the following message to the regiment:[41]

Your Governor and Commander-in-Chief will have told you that the Gambia Regiment will shortly cease to be an effective unit of Her Majesty's forces. The Gambia Regiment with its record of service in two World Wars has a proud place amongst the Regiments of the Royal West African Frontier Force and I well know how disappointing it must be that you can no longer serve in the Regiment. Changes in the defence policy of Her Majesty's Government mean that it is no longer necessary to maintain the Regiment in being, and the needs of the Gambia itself will be met by an expansion of the Police Force. Some of you will, I expect, join the military wing of the Police, but whether you do or not I am sure you will not let the spirit and traditions of the Regiment die. I send you all my good wishes.

In its place, the Gambia Field Force, a paramilitary unit, was formed to replace it. The Gambia Field Force, in turn, was replaced by the Gambian National Army in 1984.[2]

The parade uniform of the regiment consisted of khaki drill shorts with red fezzes, along with scarlet zouave-style jackets.[42] The jacket style was inherited from the West India Regiment.[43] The jackets had a yellow edging and red cummerbunds. In the field, the regiment originally wore a variation of the Kilmarnock cap, but just prior to World War II this changed to the slouch hat. Similarly, British officers attached to the regiment initially wore pith helmets, but they also later changed to the slouch hat.[44][45] Although most uniforms in the RWAFF were similar, the special distinction of the Gambia Regiment was a khaki and brown puggree, and a brown cummerbund.[46]

• Gambia Armed Forces
• Royal West African Frontier Force
• Ghana Regiment, formerly the Gold Coast Regiment
• Nigeria Regiment
• Gambia Constabulary, contemporary armed police force