“The King’s African Rifles 1908 – 1918”

[bushfighter]

An image from Fitzgeralds's article

The King's African Rifles 1908 - 1918 by Colonel T.O. Fitzgerald O.B.E. M.C.

Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel T.O. Fitzgerald, The King’s Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment), served in East Africa with the King’s African Rifles from 1908 & throughout The Great War. He took over command of 3KAR after Lt. Col. R.B. Graham had been killed in action at Latema-Reata Nek in March 1916, & he held that appointment for 23 months before being posted to the staff.

Between 1935 & 1938 The East Africa Annual published a three-piece contribution by Colonel Fitzgerald in three successive editions of their large Annual. (Today the Annuals themselves usually sell for over £50 each.)

Jim McGivney of:
Kenya Books
31 Southdown Avenue
Brighton BN1 6EH
U.K.
phone: 01273-556029
e-mail: info@kenyabooks.com
home page: abebooks.com/home/kenyabooks

has photocopied the three chapters from volumes of the Annuals in his stock & is offering them for sale at £24 pounds per complete set, UK postage included.
The total number of pages is 24 BUT they are large A3 size & are supplied in a card cover.

The text is written in words that a civilian reader can understand & follows the history of 3KAR from 1908 to 1918.
The value lies in the 54 good photographs (they have reproduced well on the photocopy) that accompany the text, many of which I had not come across before.
This is a specialist purchase for those interested in the East African theatre & in the development of British colonial troops, & is a unique item.

T.O.Fitzgerald's entry in "War Services 1922"

FOOTNOTE:
I am still trying to find a copy of: Historical Record of 3KAR 1914-1918 compiled by Col T.O. Fitzgerald OBE MC & used extensively as a source by Lt Col H. Moyse-Bartlett in his: €œThe King's African Rifles - a study in the military history of East & Central Africa, 18980-1945€.
This appears to have been a type-written account that includes a lot of detail. If any Member knows of the existence of a copy please will he or she advise its location.
Harry