What do you think?
Rate this book
African Assignment: Life in the King’s African Rifles Between the Wars
A fascinating personal account of one soldier’s adventurous life in Southern Africa, serving with a unique and often forgotten the King’s African Rifles.
This thoroughly enjoyable and engaging record capturing a snapshot in time is the perfect read for fans of John Nunneley, Malcolm Page, Graham Greene, and Mary H. Kingsley.
From the early days of childhood adventure books, firsthand accounts from returning soldiers, and the devouring of every detail of Von Lettow’s campaign in the First World War, Sir Francis de Guingand had been obsessed with Africa.
As a young officer, de Guingand followed his heart and joined the King's African Rifles. This was a time of great pride and adventure for young men of spirit who wanted to make their fortune and serve their sovereign in far-flung corners of the empire. Lured by the freedom and independence of a posting far from the normal restraints and routine of regular soldiering, it was everything he dreamed of.
His vivid depictions of Africa, his life, and experiences leap off the page and are full of joy, camaraderie, adventure, danger, exploration, and plenty of leisure time for hunting big game and general high jinks. There are hard marches and lean times with difficult decisions that have to be made. It is a time of great schemes for colonial development with new regions still to be mapped, all done on foot with pencil and paper. Life is basic, but English standards are always maintained!
This memoir has come together from happy reminiscence, old diaries, letters, and tales from friends and former comrades. It is a treasure trove of information about a happy band of brothers in days gone by.
‘An immensely readable story, told with much charm and wit’ — A. Godfrey Harvey, University of British Colombia
This book documents an era of colonial rule, when Africa was divided between conquering nations and indigenous Africans were subject to the control of European empires. Therefore, the attitudes expressed and experiences detailed are very much representative of their time. Although de Guingand’s deep, genuine love and respect for the people of Africa shines throughout, it remains a truthful account of interwar imperial rule. Some readers may find certain episodes difficult to read.
This thoroughly enjoyable and engaging record capturing a snapshot in time is the perfect read for fans of John Nunneley, Malcolm Page, Graham Greene, and Mary H. Kingsley.
From the early days of childhood adventure books, firsthand accounts from returning soldiers, and the devouring of every detail of Von Lettow’s campaign in the First World War, Sir Francis de Guingand had been obsessed with Africa.
As a young officer, de Guingand followed his heart and joined the King's African Rifles. This was a time of great pride and adventure for young men of spirit who wanted to make their fortune and serve their sovereign in far-flung corners of the empire. Lured by the freedom and independence of a posting far from the normal restraints and routine of regular soldiering, it was everything he dreamed of.
His vivid depictions of Africa, his life, and experiences leap off the page and are full of joy, camaraderie, adventure, danger, exploration, and plenty of leisure time for hunting big game and general high jinks. There are hard marches and lean times with difficult decisions that have to be made. It is a time of great schemes for colonial development with new regions still to be mapped, all done on foot with pencil and paper. Life is basic, but English standards are always maintained!
This memoir has come together from happy reminiscence, old diaries, letters, and tales from friends and former comrades. It is a treasure trove of information about a happy band of brothers in days gone by.
‘An immensely readable story, told with much charm and wit’ — A. Godfrey Harvey, University of British Colombia
This book documents an era of colonial rule, when Africa was divided between conquering nations and indigenous Africans were subject to the control of European empires. Therefore, the attitudes expressed and experiences detailed are very much representative of their time. Although de Guingand’s deep, genuine love and respect for the people of Africa shines throughout, it remains a truthful account of interwar imperial rule. Some readers may find certain episodes difficult to read.
260 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 15, 2024
36 people are currently reading
3 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
No one has reviewed this book yet.