John Hunter likeness

John Hunter cap badgeLieutenant John Hunter

2nd Battalion Kings African Rifles
Service No: N/A

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Personal details

Family Information

Son of John and Margaret Hunter of 55 Church St, Coatbridge. Brother of Lance Corporal J B Hunter of the Royal Engineers who was admitted to a London Hospital in late 1916 suffering from shell shock. He had been on active service for 22 months and had seen severe fighting in France and Belgium. Another brother Lance Corporal B Hunter served with the Lanarkshire Yeomanry. Both are listed on the Old Monkland Parish Church Roll of Honour. John is mentioned on the Church plaque Roll of Honour.

Born / Resided

/ 55 Church St, Coatbridge

Died

Died on the 18/04/1919 at New Langenburg, Tanganyika, East Africa

Enlisted

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Employed

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Age

34

Buried / Remembered

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Cemetery / Memorial Information

There are no burial or remembrance details for this soldier. If you have any, please leave a comment below or contact us.

Additional Information

John died in Africa as a result of "long continued strain". He had been actively engaged in Military service since the commencement of hostilities and was Mentioned in Despatches on several occasions. His is NOT listed by the CWGC. The Kings African Rifles including the 2nd Battalion of 4 companies served with distinction mainly in German East Africa. Their history is rather complex but briefly they were involved predominantly with the 1st Division of Smut's invasion force throughout 1916 and along with the Gold Coast and Baluchi Regiments became the mainstay of the force throughout 1917 and 1918. The 1914-18 War was fought in German East Africa, now Tanzania, and the enemy did not lay down their arms until November, 1918. By the end of the war the Kings African Rifles strength had risen to 22 Battalions. This included a “new” 6 Kings African Rifles formed from the ex-German askari of the Schutztruppen. The total strength of the Kings African Rifles was 35,500, of whom 11% were European. Casualties were 8225, including 22.6% of the officers. The total troops involved were 114,000, with casualties of 62,000. There were between 400,000 and 500,000 native porters – The Carrier Corps, of whom 40,000 were unaccounted for at the end of the campaign. John's 2 brothers are remembered on the Old Monkland Church Roll of Honour (see photos). See photos for Newspaper clippings x 2 (Old Monkland Parish Church Roll of Honour and John's brother J B Hunter), his Scotland National Probate Index and the Kings African Rifles Cap Badge.

Photos
John Hunter newspaper clippingJohn Hunter newspaper clippingJohn Hunter newspaper clippingJohn Hunter additional photo

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