Remembering The Regiment The Experiences Of A Kenya Born English Lad In The Continued Fight Against The Terrorism Of The Mau Mau Rebellion

Kenya settlers, of European extraction, performed enthusiastically in a variety of roles in the Emergency Forces: Serving in Kenya Regiment companies; serving as patrol commanders attached to the Kings African Rifles with African troops, and with British regiments as guides, tracker handlers and advisers; as District Officers with the Kikuyu Guard as leaders and instructors in military skills; as pseudo Mau-Mau terrorists; as policemen; as pilots with the Kenya Police Air Wing; as criminal investigation and intelligence officers. They participated with good humor and enthusiasm at all levels and gave their expertise freely. Many were extraordinarily effective and many served in isolation from their superior officers, who relied on their initiative. Generally, the Kenya Regiment personnel received the cooperation of the local African populace, who accepted them as disciplined, reliable troops, keen to rid the country of the scourge of terrorism. There was a mutual respect between the Africans and the settler soldiers and their cooperation in anti-terrorist operations strengthened the bonds of comradeship and widened understanding between the races. After eighteen months military service as a patrol commander in the field I had gained special skills. The Mau-Mau terrorists had suffered heavy losses from desertions as well as casualties. The dwindling numbers of hard-core terrorists remaining in the forests had to be hunted down and this necessitated increased hunting skills. I had learned tracking skill from Ngalu, but there were areas where my knowledge was weak. I was pleased when I was sent to the Tracker School at Nanuki. The instructors had been picked from Kenya Regiment personnel whose civilian jobs were with the Game Department and the National Parks. I felt sure, under their instruction my skills would be augmented.