In June of 1863, two years after Lagos Island was ceded to the British Empire by King Dosumu under the threat of bombardment, what would become the West African Frontier Force was formed.

It was made up of 30 Tribes men who were tasked with the responsibility of protecting the Empire’s interest inland, protecting the inhabitants of Lagos from kidnappers and putting an end to the slave trade.

Who would have imagined that these 30 trained soldiers would grow into a formidable fighting force, that 50 years later would be called upon by the British Empire to fight in three different European wars, from which they came out Triumphant.

Many of these brave Nigerian Soldiers left their families and loved ones to heed the call of the Empire, which for many would have been their last trek, their last fight, their last expedition far away from their mother land, never to return – for the sake of the Empire, but most importantly their family, communities, and nation.

Their devotion to the Empire and the vivid tapestry of life they wove cannot be adequately conveyed through words alone, it must be etched in the annals of history through their deeds. They were, without a doubt, our Triumphant ancestors.