Buchanan-Smith album of active service in World War I

Scope and Content

Album of various sized prints, concerned with Sir Walter Buchanan-Smiths service with the Nigeria Regiment in the Cameroons (plates 1-8) and in German East Africa (plates 159-201). The captions are difficult to read as they are written on dark brown paper in black ink.

Administrative / Biographical History

Walter Buchanan-Smith was born on 25 May 1879 and educated at Bilton Grange Bolton and Repton. In January 1903 he was selected by the British North Borneo Company for their administrative service. He spent five years in North Borneo, and in 1909 was appointed Acting District Commissioner in southern Nigeria. He served with the Nigeria Regiment in the Cameroons in 1914-15 and German East Africa 1916-18, being awarded the Military Cross. Returning to Nigeria he was appointed a First Class District Officer in 1918, serving in the Southern Provinces and the Cameroons, and from 1930 until his retirement in 1935 he was Lieutenant Governor of the Southern Provinces. He administered the Government of Nigeria in 1930 and 1934. In 1939 he administered the Government of the Seychelles. He became Honorary Secretary-General of the Royal Empire Society in 1941 and died on 27 November 1944.

Access Information

Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).

Acquisition Information

Presented to the Royal Commonwealth Society in 1972.

Note

Includes index.

Other Finding Aids

A catalogue of the collection can be found on ArchiveSearch.

Alternative Form Available

This collection is available on microfiche: Africa, fiche numbers 114-116.

Physical Characteristics and/or Technical Requirements

Good condition.

Location of Originals

Three images from this collection can be viewed here:

Y30469D/59: Recruits being sworn in

http://www.dspace.cam.ac.uk/bitstream/1810/1305/1/RCSPC-Y30469D-059.jpg

Y30469D/159: Embarking guns at Lindi

http://www.dspace.cam.ac.uk/bitstream/1810/1306/1/RCSPC-Y30469D-159.jpg

Y30469D/160: Embarking guns at Lindi

http://www.dspace.cam.ac.uk/bitstream/1810/1307/1/RCSPC-Y30469D-160.jpg

To use these images or to obtain a copy please refer to our Terms of Use:

http://www.lib.cam.ac.uk/rcs_photo_project/gallery1.html

Additional Information

This collection level description was entered by WS using information from the original typescript catalogue.

Smith, Sir, Walter Buchanan-, 1879-1944, Knight