facebook
twitter
youtube
google_plus
email
Contact Us | SMS +254-725-459-063 or SMS +254-734-226-233
  • Self Drive Safaris in Africa
    • Kenya Migration Safari 7 days
    • Kenya Wildlife Safari 8 Days
    • Kenya Rhino and Ranches 13 days
    • Dr Livingstone – Nairobi to Victoria Falls 26 days
    • Africa Discovered – Cape Town to Nairobi 8 weeks
    • Cairo to Cape Town Overland 10 weeks
    • Tailor Made Safaris
    • Best Countries for African Self Drive Safaris
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Flying Safaris
    • Kenya Flying Safari – 5 Days
    • Masai Mara, Naboisho & Kenyan Coast – 8 Days
    • Masai Mara & Zanzibar – 12 Days
    • Victoria Falls, Masai Mara & Zanzibar – 14 Days
    • Ethiopia, Masai Mara & Zanzibar – 14 Days
    • Ethiopia, Masai Mara & Victoria Falls – 16 Days
    • Tailor Made Flying Safaris
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Budget Safaris
    • What is a Budget African Safari?
    • Adventure Budget Safari 8 Days
    • Safari and Beaches Budget Overland 7 Days
    • Adventure Safari and Beaches Overland 15 Days
    • Budget Holiday for Volunteers 5 days
    • Budget African Safaris Dates and Prices
    • Budget African Safaris FAQ
  • Group Charters
    • Group Tours and Safaris
    • Overland Truck Safaris
    • Safari Vehicles & Logistical Support
    • Welcome to Napenda Solar Community!
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • School Trips
    • School and University Trips
    • Community Service
    • Safaris and Adventure Tours
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Africa Expedition Support Blog

Blog Post

Anzac Day a day for rememberance.

24 Apr 2015
0 Comment
Expedition
25 April, Africa, Africa Expedition Support, African soldiers, ANZAC, ANZAC Day, British colonies, british government, Kenya, tanzania, uganda, WWI

Today is the 100th anniversary of Galipoli, it is a day when Aussies and Kiwis at home and abroad stop to remember those who died on the shores of Galipoli in Turkey during WW1. Debs and I were lucky enough to lead an overland trip to Galipoli for the 90th Anniversary; it was a pilgrimage that every Aussie and Kiwi have to do at least once in their life.

Although this little story has nothing to do with Galipoli as such, it is part of WWI and the war effort to defeat the axis powers namely Russia, the Ottoman Empire and Germany. Little is known about the war efforts in East Africa so on this day we would like to share this story based in Kenya.

We have come across this typical African story at various times from totally different sources. So there must be some truth to it.

In East Africa the British Empire enrolled hundreds of thousands of locals into the Kings African Rifles and the Carrier Corps. To this day there is a suburb in Nairobi called Kariakor which used to be their base.

Germany was in possession of German East Africa, now called Tanzania.

Since there were only a handful of German troops and settlers in German East Africa they also had to rely heavily on local recruits.

Germany had neither intentions nor resources to occupy the British Colony of Kenya but orders were given to keep the Brits busy by running small incursions across the border to sabotage the Uganda Railway by blowing up bridges and loosening tracks. The idea was to weaken the British on the main battle fields in Europe as they had to send reinforcements to Kenya and Uganda to protect their Colonies.

In the 1950s the British Government decided to compensate their now very old African soldiers who fought against the Germans in WWI and WWIΙ with a one off payment for their services.

Word was sent out that a British delegation would travel around Kenya visiting various locations for one day only to pay compensation in cash. Any claimant was required to present himself in his original uniform as proof he served during the war.

The turnout was bigger than expected. The paymaster was quite busy keeping up with his books, taking records and handing out the money one by one to a long queue of people.

On one occasion he looked up at the soldier he was just about to hand over the money and immediately burst out laughing.

The soldier in front of him was wearing a German uniform! “Oh well” he thought, “he still fought in the war, he probably had no idea who he was fighting for” ….. and handed over the compensation courtesy of the British Government.

So on this day, 25th April 2015, let us respectively remember everyone who fought ………..

Thiemo Ebersberger, a German is married to Debs, an Aussie, and together they run Africa Expedition Support based in Kenya.  Check out www.africaexpeditionsupport.com for safaris and expeditions.

About the Author
Deborah Thiele is the Director of Africa Expedition Support and coordinator of Napenda Solar Community. Originally from a nursing and community development background she left the comforts of Australia in 2000 for a one year career break to travel the world. One year turned into 2 then 3 then 4 and so on, working in tourism and travelling the world. In 2005 she started, along with her husband Thiemo, Africa Expedition Support offering African safaris with a difference. To read that story http://www.africaexpeditionsupport.com/about-us/

Social Share

  • google-share

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

*
*

Recent Blog Posts

Zebra cooling off in the marshes of Amboseli NP

Self Drive in Kenya - Rhinos and Ranches Safari

29 Nov 2016

Travelling with Kids Cairo to Cape Town

03 May 2016

Hot Air Balloon Safari

30 Mar 2016

Blog Categories

  • 4WDING AFRICA
  • Latest News
  • Open Fire
  • Overlanding Africa
  • Teen Travel

Blog Archives

  • November 2016
  • May 2016
  • March 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • June 2015
  • April 2015
  • January 2015
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • June 2014
  • April 2014
  • January 2014
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
facebooktwitteryoutubegoogle_plusemail
Sign Up

Africa Tours

Self Drive Safaris
Budget Safaris
Flying Safaris
Group Charters
School Trips
About Us

ATTA Africa Travel and Tourism Association

Search Website

Contact Us

If you would like to get in contact with Africa Expedition Support please email us at:
info@africaexpeditionsupport.com

PROUDLY SUPPORTING

Pack for a Purpose
Privacy Policy and Cookies