Members of the West African Frontier Force, 1900 (c)

Photograph, 4th Ashanti War, 1900 (c).

The West African Frontier Force was formed in 1900 to administer the colonial forces of West Africa. The latter consisted of The Northern Nigeria Regiment, The Southern Nigeria Regiment, The Gold Coast Regiment, The Sierra Leone Battalion and the Gambia Regiment. The parade uniform of the Force comprised khaki drill with red fezes, scarlet zouave style jackets edged in yellow and red cummerbunds. Artillery units wore blue jackets with yellow braid and engineers red with blue braid. African warrant officers were distinguished by yellow braiding on the front of their jackets.