Hon. Captain Chari Maigumeri, 3rd Nigerian Regiment
Chari from the Maiduguri District joined the Kaiser–lichen Shutztruppe fur Kamerun in 1913. He fought against us [Britain] in the Cameroons Campaign, where he won the Iron Cross for gallantry. Captured at the battle of Garua in 1915, he enlisted in the W.A.F.F. early in 1917 and served in East Africa during the latter part of the campaign. He was promoted sergeant in 1920, Company Sergeant-Major in 1924, and Regimental Sergeant-Major in 1928. All his service was spent in the 3rd Battalion the Nigeria Regiment.
He was one of a representative detachment sent to London for the Jubilee of H.M. King George V and for the Coronation of H.M. King George VI in 1937. He served throughout the campaign in East Africa, 1940-1, being awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous gallantry, particularly at the crossing of the River Omo. He accompanied the 3rd Battalion to Burma and was mentioned in despatches for his action during a night attack by the Japanese.
In the Birthday Honours of 1944, Chari was awarded the British Empire Medal for his long,loyal service to the Crown. After the war he came to London for the Victory Parade and again in 1952 when he represented the Regiment at the funeral of H.M. King George VI.
In 1953 he came to London once more as one of a detachment sent home for the Queen's Coronation. The same year he retired after 36 years' service in the Regiment, 24 of which were spent as Regimental Sergeant-Major of the 3rd Battalion. By the order of H.M. the Queen he was made an honorary Captain to mark the conclusion of his long and distinguished military career. The officers of the Regiment presented him with a sword.
He was a first-class drill instructor and would, on suitable occasions, give a demonstration of German arms drill with the appropriate words of command. He was a great trainer of tug-of-war teams, and the final of this event at the annual Regimental Sports during the thirties was usually between the 3rd Battalion and the mighty men of the Light Battery - who were, more often than not, the losers. In spite of the fact that the Battalion's successes were due to long and arduous training for each event, it was firmly believed in certain quarters that they possessed a very strong juju.
Captain Chari has settled down near Kaduna and, as was to be expected, has not entirely severed his connection with the Regiment. He has on several occasions rendered assistance in recruiting drives.
In 1958, he was selected to represent the Regiment at the unveiling of the Rangoon War Memorial, which commemorates all those men of the land forces who fell in Burma and have no known grave.
He laid wreaths not only for Nigeria but also on behalf of Sierra Leone and Gambia.
He was, indeed, a worthy representative of them all.
I found this most interesting.
ReplyDeleteMy father, KF Broom, was an RSM with the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry. He took a position in the RWAFF, where he spent some 10 years as an RSM. His war was Burma.
You Father was a great man... He served with pride and honor.
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