Fighting for the Empire? Britain’s Colonial African Armies, 1939-45

Hear from John Concagh as he highlights how soldiers from Africa were recruited, trained and mobilised during the Second World War.

At the outbreak of the Second World War, the armies of Britain’s African colonies comprised fewer than 15,000 men at arms. By the end of the conflict, over half a million Africans were serving in British uniform, with one fifth involved in active combat across East Africa, Madagascar and Burma.

In this fascinating talk, John Concagh will discuss the creation of this new colonial army from near-scratch, as the British government and the Army battled to overcome logistical difficulties, political constraints and the millstone of prejudice. Additionally, he will examine the consequences of that mobilisation on the final years of the British Empire.

About the speaker

John Concagh

John Concagh is a historian from London whose work focuses on the relationship between Britain’s African and Caribbean colonies and the challenges of the Second World War.