Tales of Colonial Policeman in Northern Rhodesia

African Police

The earliest origins of the NRP started in 1891, in the country between Lake Nyasa & Lake Tanganyika. This was an area prone to a large amount of raids from Zanzibar by Arab led/sponsored traders. It was the various missionary groups in the region who had appealed back to London for some protection for their flocks. The very first force, recruited by a Mr Johnson the British consul for the area known as the Central African protectorate, from the Indian Army at the time, was called the North Eastern Rhodesian constabulary commanded by a Captain Maguire of the 2nd Hyderabad Lancers and consisted of 49 Sikh Sepoys, 22 Mohammedan Sowars, sans horses and 150 Zanzibaris. Maguire was killed in December that year in a battle with a strong group of Slave traders.
It is believed that the colour of our garter flashes came from the Red favoured by Sikh Regiments & green favoured by Mohammedan regiments.
The NRP as I knew it was formed in 1912 when the NERC amalgamated with the Barotse Native Police which was formed in 1899 for a similar purpose. It went on to see action in the first World War in both German East Africa (Tanganyika) & German S. West Africa (now Namibia), Losing approx. 150 men & gaining 7 DCM's, 6 MM's, 7 Meritorious service medals & 22 MiD's. Not bad for a small Police Force.

Tales of Colonial Policeman in Northern Rhodesia