Simon_Fielding Posted 6 April , 2010 Share Posted 6 April , 2010 I have a man on the war memorial I'm researching whose relative gave me some very useful info: Orlando Horatio Lund Woodward, was my great uncle, he was a colourful character who had travelled to America, many parts of Africa, was involved in much military unpleasantness in South Africa and was an escort at Cecil Rhodes funeral. At the outbreak of war he was managing a gold mine in Ashanti (Ghana), he managed to return to fight in WW1 as the 'only white man' in the Southern Nigerian Volunteers (or so a letter I have from my Great Uncle explains). His three brothers, my grandfather Leslie Archibald Woodward survived the war as a lieutenant in the Royal Field Artillery, My great uncle, Gerald de Maine Woodward also survived the war as a lieutenant in the Royal Field Artillery and My great uncle Stanley Woodward who had emigrated to Australia survived the war after serving throughout as a sergeant in the Anzacs. Their mother Elizabeth Woodward kept the George Hotel in Bewdley. Uncle Orlando is buried on a plot in the church cemetery Tourcoing. I'm unfamiliar with the South Nigerian Volunteers - any suggestions?? Best Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
athelstan Posted 7 April , 2010 Share Posted 7 April , 2010 Simon This may not be of much help but the 'Official History of the War: Military Operations Togoland and the Cameroons 1914 to 1916' by Brig.-General F.J. Moberly lists the following volunteer units: Gold Coast Volunteers Gold Coast Railway Volunteers Gold Coast Mines Volunteers Ashanti Mines Volunteers According to the Official History they had a total strength of around 900 and were armed with rifles or carbines, four 7 pounder guns and four machine guns. They could be called out on active service in the event of danger of invasion or rebellion but were not liable for service outside of the Colony or Ashanti Given Woodward's mining background perhaps he was in one of the two Mines Volunteer units. I have come across no other reference to the Southern Nigerian Volunteers. That's not to say it didn't exist! regards james w Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon_Fielding Posted 15 April , 2010 Author Share Posted 15 April , 2010 Me neither James, but that's a useful start! Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry_Reeves Posted 15 April , 2010 Share Posted 15 April , 2010 Simon This article has some information about the unit: http://www.dawodu.com/omoigui3.htm TR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon_Fielding Posted 16 April , 2010 Author Share Posted 16 April , 2010 Thanks for the lead Terry! Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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