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Welcome to The Regimental
Association of
The King's African Rifles
& East African Forces
Issue: 03/2012
Week: 3 (Epiphany 2)
Latest Update:
18 January 2012
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Sequences from the Speech by the President and
Address by Lt-General Mark Mans CBE, Adjutant General
at the Annual Dinner, held at the Army & Navy Club
Pall Mall, London on 24 June 2011
Including members' rendering of Tufunga Safari and
Lembani Kaleta by two members of the Ny battalions.
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Please state your KAR Battalion or EA Unit for clearance.
This feature within the Association website has been made possible
through the generosity of The Scott (Eredine) Charitable Trust
_________________________________________________
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY
in DAR ES SALAAM - 2011
TANZANIA REMEMBERS WARTIME HEROISM
Heroism and sacrifice were remembered at a ceremony to mark Britain's Remembrance Sunday. For the first time at a multi-faith event, a wreath was laid on behalf of the King's African Rifles and East African Forces Association by the Britain-Tanzania Society (B-TS). The tribute was laid by B-TS member Mr Alex Foti Nyirenda, the son of the late Lieutenant Colonel Nyirenda (6 KAR) who was the first Tanzanian to train at the RMA Sandhurst in the 1960s. Accompanying him was Colonel James Gitiba (Kenyan DA to Tanzania), whose father served with 3 KAR.
The joint British High Commission and German Embassy ceremony took place in Dar es Salaam's Main Commonwealth Cemetary where 1,764 Commonwealth servicemen from WWI and a further 41 from the WWII.
The translation of the KAR wreath's inscription reads:
"You will not be forgotten.
We will remember them always.
May the courageous warriors who fell in conflict sleep in heaven.
Amen."
King's African Rifles & East African Forces Association
______________________________________________
Association Event held on Tuesday, 6th October 2009
The Askari Appeal
SERVICE OF COMMEMORATION
at the National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas.
conducted by The Rt Rev'd John Kirkham (23 KAR)
Over 70 members and their guests attended a most memorable day
£820 was raised for the Askari Appeal Fund at this event,
followed by a donation of further £1000 in the following week.
_________________________________________________
64th ANNUAL DINNER & AGM
was held on Friday, 24th June 2011
at Army and Navy Club (The Rag), London
The Chief Guest was Lt General Mark Mans CBE
Full report in Rhino Link: 1 October 2011
Welcome to the website of the KAR & EAF Association. Our roots lie in the regiments formed in the 1890s by the Imperial East India Company and led by their agents: the Uganda Rifles, the Central African Regiment and the East African Rifles. The Regiment's history dates from 1 January 1902, when these regiments were reorganised and renamed to form the six battalions of the King's African Rifles, as the instrument of civilised authority and defender of Empire in what were then the colonies of Rhodesia, Nyasaland, Kenya and Uganda. Following the demise of German East Africa in 1918, a further battalion was formed in Tanganyika. From its formation to Independence in the early sixties, the Regiment's officers and some senior NCOs were primarily seconded from the British Army.
The Regiment fought with distinction in both World Wars against the armies of Germany, Italy, Vichy France and Japan, gaining the proud battle honours: British Somaliland, Abyssinia, Madagascar and Burma. It then played a leading role in post war operations against the Communists in Malaya and the Mau Mau in Kenya, before the final chapter in the early sixties, when as each nation achieved Independence, the regiment divided, to re-emerge at the heart of their national armies, where our customs and traditions still flourish.
The King's African Rifles Officers' Dinner Club, the forbear of the Association, was formed in 1947 for those who had served in the King's African Rifles, or the arms and services which directly supported them. The Dinner Club changed its constitution in 1999 to become the present Association, broadening its remit slightly to include fund raising for retired askaris [see "ASKARI APPEAL" below], and support for regional events, but retaining the London Dinner as its principal event. The membership now stands at approximately 600 world wide, which is remarkable, bearing in mind that the Regiment ceased to exist over forty years ago.
In addition to this website the Association also produces a biannual journal, Rhino Link, which is distributed to all members. In addition to information on forthcoming events and people, it also contains many articles reflecting members' unique experiences of the life and people of East Africa in the decades prior to Independence. The Journal also includes a healthy exchange of correspondence from a variety of friends of the Association and those with an interest in the KAR. The membership's collective knowledge of this era represents a unique "living" historical archive, which may prove to be of true value to historians in the future.
Our official historian, H Moyse-Bartlett, wrote: "No Regiment has ever been more intimately connected with the territories through which it marched and fought, or with the people from whom it recruited."
Those who have drunk from the waters of Africa
will have it running through their veins for the rest of their life.
Major-General Patrick Stone CB CBE, President.
The Regimental Colours
The Queen's and the Regimental Colours, as appear at the top of this website page,
are those of the 6th (Tanganyika) Battalion.
The Colours were presented, at Colito Barracks, Dar es Salaam on 16th September, 1955
by The Governor and Commander-in-Chief:
H. E. Sir Edward Twining, GCMG BME.
Parade Commander:
Lieutenant Colonel R C Glanville, OBE MC
Adjutant:
Major A Unwin
No. 1 Guard, Escort to the Colours:
Major T A A Jarman Captain W G R Ambrose
Ensigns for the New Colours:
Lieutenant R Jones Lieutenant M D Andrews
2nd Lieutenant D Laurie 2nd Lieutenant D W Baldock
Regimental Sergeant Major: African Regimental Sergeant Major:
WO1 T E Williams WO1 Ndolo Lele
Bandmaster: Drum Major:
WO1 J B Ingall Ninawo Munubi
These Regimental Colours of the 6th Battalion are now in safe custody at the
National Army Museum, Chelsea, London
Accession Numbers: 1963-12-20-5 to -6.
To obtain a mounted print of these Colours contact the KAR & EAF Association by the Reply Box above.
Association Events
For full details go to Events Section below
Sussex Lunch
Thurdsay, 18th March 2010, Contact Major Dai Curtis.
East Anglia Lunch
Tuesday, 15th May 2012. - Contact Janie Coppen-Gardner.
Oxfordshire Lunch
Thursday, 27th May 2010. Contact Major Jim Pertwee.
Association Dinner and AGM - 2010
The 64th Association Dinner for members and their male guests was held on Friday, 24th June, 2011
at the Army & Navy Club (The Rag) 36 Pall Mall, London SW1Y 5JN.
The President, Major General Patrick Stone presided.
Edinburgh Lunch
Friday, 22nd July 2011 at The Royal Scots Club. Contact Colonel John Swanson-Smith. Tel: 0141 641 3835
Thames River Cruise
Wednesday, 4th August 2010. Contact Brigadier Malcolm Page for further info.
4 KAR UGANDA LUNCHEON CLUB
Friday, 15th April 2011. Royal Thames Yachat Club, Knightsbridge. Contact Colonel Adrian Rouse, 0208 942 0661.
Winchester Lunch
Wednesday, 8th September 2010. Contact Tony Bushell.
Exeter Curry Lunch
18th November 2010. Contact David Smith.
Annual Service, Field of Remembrance, Westminster Abbey.
Thursday, 11th November 2010, details to follow.
Memorial Gates, Constitution Hill, London
Friday, 12th November, 2010, details to follow
Askari Appeal
NEW TARGET PASSED:
June 2011 - the Fund now stands at £335,451.
as at June 2011 a further £3908 has been received
March 2009
Colonel Fergus Mackain-Bremner returned from another visit to Kenya
to meet veteran KAR askari and askari widows to make Grants for their personal welfare.
It is a great privilege to announce the the Askari Appeal has met its (third) target of £300,000, having recently received some very generous donations, some of which have been indeed staggering.
Some are coming in, still, from Christopher Hill's epic channel swim, others from a number of family trusts, private donors and supportive organisations, a number of which have been in excess of £1,000. The Mercers' Company gave £2,500 and an anonymous donation was for £540 received "In memory of some 30 officers who served in 23 KAR, and are no longer with us".
The most unexpected donation came from the Rothermere Foundation, together with a very warm letter expressing the Trustees' full and heartfelt support for our aims. Their generous gift of £10,000 has just put us above the target, and we have now reached £308,100. And the future? - well, there is still a year to go before, all being well, I return to Kenya to distribute grants as before, and for other Royal Commonwealth Ex-Servicemen's League (RCEL) Representatives to do the same in Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi and Zambia.
So, please do go on sending your donations. Someone recently sent a cheque for £50 saying that they were sorry it was not more - but such a sum represents a year's grant to a deserving case. Any amount you wish to send is still most welcome and would be thankfully accepted by our old askari.
Colonel Fergus Mackain-Bremner OBE, ex-11 KAR.
Askari Appeal Director.
Non-members of the KAR & EAF Association, who would like to make
a donation to the Askari Appeal Fund may do so by contacting
this website Editor through the box at the top of this page.
All donations will be personally acknowledged by the Appeal Director
and would be most gratefully received by our old veteran soldiers who
bravely and fiercely fought for the British Crown in two World Wars.
Departed Comrades
The Association regrets to announce the deaths of the following members:
The Revd John Grimson
9(TT) KAR 1942/43; 44(U) KAR 1943/46
Kerry Stone
2/6 KAR, 2 KAR 1959/64
Captain David Bosanquet
2/1 (Ny) KAR 1944/46
Aded 93
David Bowden, Kenya
Service details unknown
Major C R C Elverson
3 KAR, 1950/53
Colonel James Houston MBE
6 KAR 1958/61, HQ Uganda Rifles 1962/64
A E Whitehead Esq
Service details unknown.
Peter Wallis
71 (5) KAR 1942/45
Norman Carr
11 KAR 1957
Colonel John Swanson-Smith TD
7 KAR 1955/56
Lt General Sir Chandos Blair, KVCO OBE MC
CO 4 KAR 1959/61
Died 22 January 2011, aged 91
Major R M Seton-Browne
Ian Archibald
5/6 KAR EACMP
C John Dawkins
Aged 95 years, Ny Bns 1950s
Major N J Blythe-Brook
4 KAR
Colonel T (Tommy) A Pace OBE
RAMC 4 KAR, 1950s
Lt Col A L StG S Clarke MBE
(member, but no record of KAR service)
Colonel B E Edwards OBE
Somaliland Scouts 1957/60
Ian Tring ISO
3 KAR 1955/56
Major Sir Daniel Petit
55 Batt, 4 KAR, 1942/45
aged 95
Mark St Clair Thomas
Hon Secretary KAR & EAF Association
23 KAR 1951/52
Brigadier J R Anderson CBE
3 KAR 1963, 1 KR 1964
Major Peter StV Harding-Rolls
3 KAR; 1951/54; 5 KAR 1961/64
Major John Rippingall
14 KAR 1945, 5/6 KAR 1946
Major Richard (Dickie) Randell MBE
ex-11 KAR; 6 KAR 1958/60
died 21 April 2010.
A T Cottell
KR; 5 KAR
Major J A (Archie) Bowman-Edgar DT
8 KAR 1941/45; 3 KAR 1947/52
Major W (Bill) A Morgan MBE
HQ 70 Inf Bde; 91 Coy KAR; 53 MT Coy, RASC 1958/65
Colonel T (Tommy) T R Weston OBE TD
Late RA. 303 Field Regt EAA
Captain Richard Mather
4 KAR, 1952/55
Major D H D Lamond
1TR, 1 Malawi Rifles
Lt Colonel Andy Unwin
Died on Wednesday, 14th October, 2009, aged 92.
Mrs Felicity Powell
wife of Col Geoffrey Powell, CO 11 KAR, 1957/59
Robert (Bob) Fisk
3 KAR, 1953/54
Captain T Randal Sadleir,
9(TT) KAR, HQ 31(EA) Inf Bde, 1944/45, 4/6(TT) KAR,
HQ 21(EA) Inf Bde 1945/46, HQ 11(EA) Div 1945/46
died 11th August 2009.
Major A L Scawin,
Som Scouts
Major John Bashall
2 (Ny) KAR 1959/61
Major G S P Robinson
Som Scouts 1952/55
Colonel D E (Dudley) Thornton CBE ERD
18(Ny) KAR, att 71st (Som) KAR, HQ 29 & 26 (EA) Inf Bde, 1943/46
1 Malawi Rifles, Commander Malawi Army 1964/66
Captain G F Wigrams
6 KAR 1937; 11 KAR 1944/46; KR att 5 KAR 1947/56
Major J Roy Trustram Eve OBE DL
Chairman, Kenya Regt Association
Died 20th May 2009
Captain D C Musto
3 KAR, 5/6 KAR 1945/47
Major R Hornsby-Wright
Major Hugh Cecil Ealand
Died 1st February 2009
Major J A (Tony) Dixon
4 KAR 1948/54
Died 25 February, aged 88.
Major Jack C Richardson ERD
ex-NRR, early 50s
Died 12 November 2008
Major S G B Matthews MBE
2ic 1 KAR/Malawi Rifles 1964-1966
Died 30 January 2009
Major Anthony "Rogue" Barkas, MBE 5 KAR
Died 3 February 2009 in Nanyuki
Colonel Giles A Allan, OBE
George Gordon, MBE
6 KAR. Died 30 December 2008, aged 85
Lieutenant-Colonel Eric Wilson, VC
2 KAR 1937/8; Som Camel Corps 1939/46; 3/6 KAR 1943;
11 KAR 1944; Inf Trg Cen Jinja 1945.
Died 23 December 2008, aged 96.
Details of Memorial Service to be announced.
Major W (Bill) Underwood
5 KAR, 23 KAR, 11 KAR. 1949/60
Major John C Murray
55(SR)GT Coy 1943/44, 21(Ny) KAR, EACMP 1945
David Mackenzie-Ross
2/6 KAR 1955/56
David Evans
23 KAR early 1950s
Lt Col J P Keenan MBE
QM 7 KAR 1954/56
Major R L Beamish
3 EARR; 4 EARR; 1 EARR Som
W Barry R Parton
3 KAR 1954/57
Colonel A Robin Holburn
CO Zam Sch Mil Trg, CO Zam 3rd Inf Bn; COS Zam Army HQ
Lt Col D J Daly,
HQ Nairobi Garrison 1960/62
Lord John Cuckney (non member)
WWII Service
Major John Smale,
5 KAR, 1949/52 & 1955/58
Lt Col Tom Welch, RTR.
died 10 Aug 2008 (non member)
EA Armoured Car Rgt, late '40s.
Mrs Annette Coles
(wife of Col Richard Coles OBE, DERR & 5 KAR)
Lt Colonel Michael G Hall, OBE
Lt Colonel John Dent MBE 4 KAR 1956/59
Major Peter Dixon 7 KAR 1940s
J F Parton, 302 EA Fld Rgt; 11 Div 33 Corps 1943/45
Colonel W K Pryke MBE, ex-KAR, 28 and 29 Bde, 3/4 KAR
Major Paul Weller, ex-23 KAR, 11 KAR
Major Harry Rawkins, ex-23 KAR (non member)
M'lthiria Mukaria, ex 33(Kenya) KAR
aged 114 years. (Honorary Member)
KAR's oldest serviving askari
New Members
The association is very pleased to welcome the following new Members and *Family Members:
Captain Steve Finnis, QORWK
6 KAR 1955/56
Roderick Thomson Esq R Fusiliers
Kenya 1958/59
Kenneth Needham Esq
4th Armd Car Regt, 2nd Ind Armd Car Sqdn 1945/48
Captain Charles W Oliver QRR
6 KAR 1945/46
Nicholas Debenham Esq R Sussex
2 KAR & 1 KAR 1952-1953
Colonel Julian Lyne-Purkis late R Regt. Artillery
Staff Coll at Jinja, Uganda 1995
Lt Col Michael E G Chandler R Sigs
1st Sig Sqn Kenya Army, 1964/67
Major J Jeremy Ballantyne ex - 3 KAR, 1951/53
John Black Esq ex- 4 KAR, 1953/4
Hugh M Rose Esq ex-3 KAR, 1951/52
Peter Simpson Esq ex-1 KAR, 1955/57
Peter Marshall Esq CBE ex-7 KAR, 1953/54
George Nichol Esq OBE ex-6 KAR, 1958/59
Major Michael White, EAASC 92,96 Coys
John Sperring Esq, 4(U) KAR. 1955/56
*Lt General Mark Mans CBE
son of Maj Gen Rowley Mans
*Brigadier Lance Mans
son of Maj Gen Rowley Mans
Peter Garwood Esq, 4 KAR 1950/51
*Richard Stonor
Grandson, W G Stonor, ex-4 KAR 1903-1923
Major Ian Sharp and Mrs Erica Sharp
Honorary Membership "for services to KAR askari veterans"
David H Durant, ex-23 KAR 1956/7
Captain John A Ireland ex- 92 & 91 Coy KAR, Kenya Army 1962-64
David Powell ex- 2/3 KAR; 1/6 KAR; 2/5 KAR. 1940/46
*Lt General Richard Shirreff CBE
(Son of Major David Shirreff MC, 5 KAR)
William G Hollands, 2/3 KAR 1950/52
Peter R W Jackson, Som Scouts 1945/47
Alan Joseph, 6 KAR 1955/56
*David South, (son of R W South 2/1 KAR 1941/45.
J W Donaldson, 5 KAR 1950/51
David Glauser, 6 KAR 1956/58
A Dennis Couslon, 1 Ind Sigs Sqn, 1954/59
Richard Colvile, 3 KAR, 1955/59
*Colonel N B (Jim) Muir OBE MC,
late RTR, Intell Corps; (son of JL Muir, MBE KR)
Neil Reid, 6 KAR 1956/57
W B Croot, 2 KAR 1948/49
John Wright, KR 1961/64
*Wg Cdr (Retd) Michael W Brumage,
(son of Bill Brumage, 2/6 KAR)
Events
EAST ANGLIA LUNCH
The 2012 lunch for members and their guests at the Norfolk Club will be held on Tuesday, 15th May 2012. Contact Janie Coppen-Gardner for details.
LONDON
4 KAR (Uganda Rifles) Luncheon Club
The luncheon this year was held on Friday, 15th April 2011, at the Royal Thames Yacht Club, Knightsbridge, London. Following the lunch a special visit was arranged to see Apsley House, No 1 London, the Duke of Wellington's House at Hyde Park Corner: Colonel Adrian Rouse presided. Further details phone 0208 942 0661.
OXFORDSHIRE
KAR Lunch at "The Trout"
A glorious day welcomed 13 members and their guests to the lunch by the Thames on 26th May 2011. As usual, The Trout gave a very good lunch and allowed everyone plenty of time to chat with each other. Toasts were proposed by Tony Williams and the event was organised by Jim Pertwee.
The lunch next year will be held on Thursday 24th May 2012.
SCOTLAND
Edinburgh Luncheon
Last year's Reunion Luncheon was held in the Royal Scots Club, Edinburgh on Friday 23rd July 2010, 12 noon for 12.30 p.m. Do come along this year to the historic Royal Scots Club to enjoy the company of friends and share wonderful memories and revive your past days in Africa. Next year's lunch will be held on 22nd July 2011. Contact Major Murray Blair.
SOUTH EAST
Exercise Fluvial VIII
The boat trip this year will be held Wednesday 3 August 2011, aboard the Waterman sharing with the Henley Branch RBL. Board for sailing at 12 noon from Hobbs' Jetty, Henley. Information for next year contact Brigadier Malcolm Page.
YORK
KAR Sunday in York
The last lunch was held on Friday 10th August 2008 and followed the programme from previous years. Full details for future lunches from Major John Jessop.
WEST COUNTRY
Exeter Curry Lunch
This year's Curry Lunch will be held at the Wyvern Barracks, Exeter on Thursday 17th November 2011. Last year the lunch recorded a significent number increase, which enables a cheque to be donated to the Askari Appeal Fund.
Contact David Smith for further details.
SOUTH COAST
Winchester Lunch
Last year's lunch was held on Wednesday, 8th September 2010 at the Royal Winchester Golf Club, Sarum Road, a mile or so from last year's venue.
The lunch this year will be held on 14th September 2011 Meet at 12.00 to 12.30 for a Carvery Lunch at 1.00 p.m. or just after. Choice of meats, choice of sweer or cheese, coffee. Cost £15.00 per head (cheerful note - this is £2 less than last year!) Cash bar available. Contact Major Tony Bushell on 01962 860998 or e-mail : bushells@sky.com.
LONDON
Annual Service at the Field of Remembrance, Westminster Abbey.
Thursday, 10th November 2011 - The Two Minute Silence and laying of wreaths. Arival 10.15 a.m.
It is expected that the ceremony will follow previous years, but final details will be confirmed in the next issue of the KAR Regimental Journal, Rhino Link. Contact Major George Correa, Hon Secretary, for any further details.
Memorial Gates - Constitution Hill, VIth Commemorative Ceremony.
Friday, 11th November 2011 - The One Minute Silence and laying of wreaths, arrival 10.15 a.m.
Full details for 2011 in October issue Rhino Link.
Committee
President:
Major General Patrick Stone, CB CBE - late Royal Anglian Regt., ex 6 KAR (Tanganyika)
Vice President:
Brigadier Malcolm Page - late RAOC, ex Somaliland Scouts.
Honorary Secretary:
Major George Correa MBE - RA. ex-11 KAR (Kenya), 4 KAR, (Uganda)
Honorary Treasurer:
John Wright Esq ex- KR
Members (alphabetical):
Major Murray Blair TD, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, ex NRR
Major Tony Bushell, - R. Sigs. HQ 70 Inf Bde (Kenya).
John Catton Esq. - Royal East Kent Regt.,The Buffs, ex 6 KAR (Tanganyika).
Brigadier John Hemsley, OBE - late Som. Light Infantry (PA), ex 3 KAR (Kenya).
John D'A Meredith Esq, Somerset Light Infantry, PA, ex 6 KAR (Tanganyika).
Chris Minter Esq. - Royal Hampshire Regt., ex 23 KAR (Kenya).
Captain Peter Stocken - Middx Regt. ex 2 KAR (Nyasaland).
Colonel Tony Stormer - Late RCT. ex 93 MT Coy KAR; 6 KAR; 67 ATTP KAR.
Tim Tawney Esq - Sherwood Foresters, ex 6 KAR (Tanganyika).
Brigadier David Williams - late RTR, ex 1 KAR (Nyasaland).
History of the KAR
The roots of the Regiment originate with the clashes with Arab slave traders and warlike native tribes, which compelled the African Lakes Corporation to employ armed natives, under British officers, to protect their stations. It was a Captain F D Lugard (Norfolk Regt.) who, in 1888, volunteered to lead a military expedition against the slave trader Mlozi. Nyasaland became a Protectorate in 1889 and the Government formed what was to become 1st Battalion, The Central African Rifles (CAR). A second Battalion was formed and sent to Mauritius, and then on to Somaliland to operate against the Mullah. Lugard later became Governor of Uganda.
ASHANTI
CAR Battalion was sent to Ashanti in the Gold Coast in the June of 1900 where they distinguished themselves in action, and several companies were sent to the Gambia. Detachments from both Battalions came to England where King Edward VII presented medals for the Ashanti and Gambia campaigns. At about the same time the East African Rifles (EAR) was formed to support the civil powers of the new British East African Protectorate. Lugard formed a similar force in Uganda, which, in 1894, after the declaration of The Uganda Protectorate, became The Uganda Rifles (UR).
Finally, on 1st January, 1902, all these various Battalions were amalgamated into a new regiment, to be known as: THE KING'S AFRICAN RIFLES. There were to be six Battalions: 1st and 2nd Nyasaland, 4th Uganda, 3rd and 5th Kenya, and 6th Somaliland.
THE MAD MULLAH
The first and longest campaign fought by the new Regiment, KAR, was in Somaliland from 1900 to 1920 against Seyed Mohamed Abdullahi Hassan, the "Mad Mullah". The Mullah's revolt threatened the stability of the whole Somali region. All the KAR Battalions (except 4 KAR) were involved.
THE GREAT WAR
The 1914-18 war was fought in German East Africa, now Tanzania, and the enemy did not lay down their arms until November, 1918. By the end of the war the KAR strength had risen to 22 Battalions. This included a "new" 6 KAR formed from the ex-German askari of the Schutztruppen. The total strength of the KAR was 35,500, of whom 11% were European. Casualties were 8225, including 22.6% of the officers. The total troops involved were 114,000, with casualties of 62,000. There were between 400,000 and 500,000 native porters - The Carrier Corps, of whom 40,000 were unaccounted for at the end of the campaign.
Regimental Colours were awarded to the four senior Battalions in 1923.
King George V became Colonel in Chief on 15th September, 1925,
a tradition which has been followed by King Edward VIII,
King George VI, and Queen Elizabeth II.
Between the two World Wars, though substantial economies of men and materials were made, organisational changes meant that at the outbreak of the 1939 conflict, the Regiment was in a good position to defend the northern borders of East Africa from invasion.
THE SECOND WORLD WAR
Other arms of the military were developed, particularly Signals, but also Artillery, Ordnance, Engineers, REME, Transport, Education and Medical.
ABYSSINIA
The first active campaign was that fought against the Italians in Somaliland and Abyssinia. After a short period of defensive action when the Italians invaded Northern Kenya, in February 1941 the 11th and 12th African Divisions attacked northward into Somaliland and Abyssinia. They advanced at great speed, and after much hard fighting and exhausting pursuits of the enemy completed the campaign by July in the same year. Two Victoria Crosses and many other gallantry medals were awarded during the campaign.
MADAGASCAR
The second campaing joined by the KAR was the invasion of madagascar in 1942. The island was held by the Vichy French, and was the key to the safety of the Indian Ocean. Had the Japanese been able to use the island as a submarine base, the consequences to Allied shipping from the Cape to the Middle East would have been most serious. As it was, Madagascar was taken in six weeks, at the end of which a detchment of 6 KAR broke the record of a forced march by covering 80 miles in 21 hours, a record which held for many years. The detachment was commanded by Major General (then Captain) Rowley "Toto" Mans, immediate Past President of the KAR & EAF Association. General Mans died in 2002.
BURMA
Towards the end of 1943, the East African Scouts joined 81 West African Division in Burma and went into action in the Kaladan Valley. The 11th East African Division which had moved to Ceylon in February 1944, joined XIV Army at Imphal in July. The Division fought its way down the great river system of Burma, 25 Brigade advancing through the height of the monsoon to cross the Chidwin. 26 Brigade struck down the Kabaw Valley; 21 Brigade played a major part in forcing the Japanese to abandon the gateway to Mandalay. 22 Brigade suffered heavy battle casualties on the exposed right flank of 2 Corps. The Division returned to East Africa at the end of 1945. By the end of the war there were 44 KAR Battalions.
MALAYA
In March 1951, 1 KAR and 3 KAR were alerted to move to Malaya at the end of the year, for action against the Chinese Communists. 2 KAR relieved 1 KAR, and handed over to 1NRR who handed over to 1 RAR. 3 KAR was not replaced when it returned to Kenya.
MAU MAU
After serious outbreaks of disorder among the Kikuyu tribe of Kenya, a State of Emergency was declared by the Governor on 29th September, 1952. Once again the KAR was heavily involved in operations against Mau Mau. The campaign involved five KAR Battalions, including 23 KAR which had only been formed in 1951 as a second line to 3 KAR which was leaving Kenya (the first time African troops had served outside Africa in peace time) for Malaya with 1 KAR, and which distinguished itself notably in operations, gaining the honour of the award of Regimental Colours in 1956. 26 KAR was formed during the Mau Mau period. Also engaged were two British Brigadesm The Kenya Regiment, 21,000 Police and 250,000 loyal Kikuyu Guard. The Army was on active service for four years in the operational areas.
INDEPENDENCE
The few years that followed the end of Mau Mau insurrection saw the coming of Independence to the East African Colonies and Protectorates, and with this, the eventual disbandment of the King's African Rifles. During its existance, it had fought with honour in many and varied theatres of operation; many of its European officers and African askari were killed or injured, and many received bravery awards.
BATTLE HONOURS :
ASHANTI, 1900. SOMALILAND, 1901-1904. KILIMANJARO
NARUNGOMBE NYANGAO EAST AFRICA, 1914-1918
BRITISH SOMALILAND, 1940 THE JUBA THE OMO GONDAR
ABYSSINIA, 1940-1941 MADAGASCAR, 1942 MAWLAIK
KALEWA ARAKAN BEACHES BURMA, 1943-45.
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