Pre 1914 Background
As Britain’s colonial Empire expanded, there was a growing need to protect the
strategic and economic interests in the newly acquired territories. Britain found
that it had insufficient troops to provide increased security.
Recruitment of local troops provided necessary additional support for British
forces. At the same time these troops provided an offensive capability to secure
new territories in the pursuit of trade and commerce. In this way Britain gained
an advantage over its political and imperial rivals.
The largest locally recruited force was the Indian Army which served throughout
Asia and Africa. Local forces in Africa maintained internal security and were a
counter to any threat of expansion from other European Powers. The West India
Regiment served both in the West Indies and in Africa.
The Navy also recruited widely. At the Battle of Trafalgar there were 187 sailors from
the Caribbean, 28 from Africa, and 23 from India aboard ships in Nelson’s Fleet.
The Death of Nelson by Daniel Maclise shows a black seaman in
the background.
Courtesy of: Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool
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