Nigel Leakey Kings African Rifles

[keith A]

My grandad served as a CSM in the KAR during the early part of WW2 but I didn't realise that British Nco's were a normal part of the organisation, serving as platoon sergeant and perhaps section leaders? Nigel Leakey won his VC IN 1941, does anyone know when he joined the KAR and if he had any previous military experience?

[Sid Guttridge]

I can confirm that there were British NCOs in the KAR right up to independence in the 1960s. My father was in 5 KAR, based near Nakuru in Kenya, and I could still lead you to the British Other Ranks married quarters.

There is a good history of the KAR published in the 1950s, though I doubt it has the detail you require.

Happy hunting.

Sid.

[keith A]

Cheers Sid,

All I have left of my grandad is a photo of him on a motorcycle wearing a slouch hat, and a Nigerian postcard showing "a native village" from 1941. He was a WW1 veteran and was invalided out in 1942 I think, malaria.

I believe the Leakey family were very much associated with Nakuru. He went to Bromsgrove school, probably in 1926 and so maybe was an OTC cadet which might allow him to enlist and be made Sergeant almost immediately.

Keith