West African Artillery
British interests in West Africa date back to the early days of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Freetown became important for the repatriation of poor liberated slaves from the United Kingdom from the late 18th century. In 1821, what had by now become the Sierra Leone Colony, was made part of British West Africa, the administrative entity bringing together British colonies in West Africa. Freetown served as the capital and an important port, it having become the base of the Royal Navy West Africa Squadron which served to enforce the ban on the slave trade. In the 1930s, Freetown remained a vital base although commercial sea traffic heading for East Africa, India and the Far East used the Suez Canal route.
In the 1930s, the defence of Freetown was considered and proposals for the installation of coast defence and anti-aircraft artillery were agreed. The implementation of these proposals proceeded at a snail’s pace but with the start of World War Two and the Fall of France in June 1940, a new imperative emerged and there began a rush to improve the defences of Freetown, Sierra Leone and the other British colonies in West Africa – The Gold Coast, Gambia and Nigeria. With the Mediterranean route to the East now closed by the Italian entry into the war, the southern route via the Cape became of strategic importance. Freetown now found itself a vital stopping place on the convoy route to the Middle East, India and beyond. It was potentially at risk from attack by nearby French colonies, now under administration by Vichy France and potentially providing air bases from which Axis aircraft might attack British ports. From the sea, the West African ports were also vulnerable to naval attack, although the primary threat was thought to be shelling by submarines. The establishment of the Takoradi air route by which British and American planes were delivered to the Middle East brought with it additional defence needs.
With few British troops available to defend these strategic assets, the local West African forces were expanded significantly. Together with a sizable infantry force, the West African Artillery was established and grew quickly. The artillery provided for coast defence, anti-aircraft defence and field units for support of the infantry. Officers, N.C.O.s and Other Ranks were sent out from the United Kingdom as cadres for the formation of these new units. The new artillery units were formed on ‘mixed’ war establishments, with British personnel providing the leadership, technical expertise and training to the main personnel component of African gunners.
Having come into existence to defend West African ports and bases by 1943, when the threat from Axis attack had all but disappeared, the West African defenders prepared for a new task. Two infantry divisions – the 81st and 82nd – and an anti-aircraft brigade – the 14th – were despatched to reinforce the Anglo-Indian army on the eastern frontier of India.
The story of the West African Artillery and the Royal Artillery units from which it grew, is told on these pages, primarily through the histories of the units. These are organised by arm of service:
- Coast Defence Artillery (known as Heavy Artillery until late 1940)
- Field Artillery (including field units and other divisional artillery)
- Anti-Aircraft Artillery
- Fire Commands (geographically based headquarters, commanding coast and anti-aircraft batteries)
- Depots, Training Centres and Schools.
Clicking on one of the menu options to the left of this screen will expand the section. The unit histories are then accessible as menu options or via the index of units listed.
Research is ongoing and new material will be added as it is prepared.
16 September 2025