Not all good resources are to be found in libraries and archives, and not all are written up in the pages of academic journals. ARD aims to be a forum for the 'amateur' and 'independent' Africanists as well as the academics and this new journal is a fine example of what can be achieved by an enthusiastic individual. It will appeal to military historians and historians of West Africa as well as those with personal or family links to the Royal West African Frontier Force.

The West African Frontier Force was sanctioned in 1897 and Colonel Lugard was authorised to amalgamate all the constabulary forces in the British West African territories under Regular British officers. It took nearly four years before the Gold Coast Constabulary (GCC) was incorporated. The GCC being on the spot was the first regiment to be engaged in the Ashanti insurrection of 31st March to the 25th December 1900. Most of the original officers had either been killed or invalided out of the country before the end of the campaign. The replacement officers outnumbered the original complement by 150% before the campaign was concluded. …