NAM.1967-02-91-23

Ts transcript of a diary by Capt (later Maj Gen) Charles Melliss relating to his journey to West Africa aboard the SS 'Sokoto' and his service with the West African Frontier Force (WAFF) in Nigeria, 29 Apr - 31 Aug 1899. Covers his stops at Las Palmas in the Canary Islands, Sierra Leone, and the Gold Coast; an incident off Cape Coast Castle, Gold Coast, in which a he helped to rescue an overboard sailor; his arrival at the mouth the Forcados River, Nigeria, and his journey up river by steamship and canoe to Lokoja; his further movements by land as part of his duties with the WAFF, including to Jebba, Fort Goldie, Boussa (Bussa), Yelwa (Yellua), Kainji and Illo; his comments on the Nigerian landscapes, foliage and wildlife; his dealings with local people, local chiefs (kings), African servants and British officers and NCOs; comments on life in the jungle, including the weather, insects, food and drink, hunting, sickness and diseases, including the fevers and other ailments form which he suffered; his policing duties including the administration of fines and other punishments. From a collection of papers relating to Maj Gen Sir Charles John Melliss VC (1862-1936).