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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
 Posted - 22 Aug 2009 : 13:45:49
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Thanks for the Reply Kons, were we not talking about Gambian schools? I think my question has been answered by ommission when you write " May i remind you that before you had Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, Yale etc. Africa had its own institutions of learning. The largest university which is still bigger than many modern universities was in Timbuktu with over then thousand students studying math, astrology, science, algebra etc." I agree with what you have written.
You write "How did you think the pyramids were built, if the people had no skills and understanding of geometry and construction? Today, many universities have tried to build another pyramid and have failed to deliver. I again agree.
Here again I agree when you write "Let me tell you a little history about the English language:"etc.
People from the UK have always been prepared to take on board words from other peoples languages and accept them,the word "bungalow" was used by people from India and now has passed into common usage in English,The native languages spoken by people from Scotland and Wales and some parts of England cannot be understood by outsiders,no problem I am all in favour of peoples keeping their own language where it has existed for a long time.
English has evolved and taken words from many languages.It is the language of the airlines, why because it has been accepted that it is the most understood language in the world,the french of course would say something different ! but even they have adopted "le weekend".I have answered your posting specifically,but it was very much off the topic which Momodou posted,although your posting is not without merit and many points that could form a posting for a relevent topic.
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Momodou
Denmark
11641 Posts |
Posted - 22 Aug 2009 : 19:01:38
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Hi Guys, thanks for all your input in this subject.
The text below shows that there was compulsory military service in the colonies.
I did a search on the Gambia Regiment which my dad was a part of until 1946 and found the following written answers at the Commons sitting of 27 March 1958:
Gambia Regiment
HC Deb 27 March 1958 vol 585 cc69-70W 70W
80. Mr. Wigg asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the strength of the Gambia Regiment on the day of its disbandment and its establishment strength, officers and men being shown separately.
Mr. Lennox-Boyd The Gambia Regiment is being progressively reduced during the period 1st January to 31st March, 1958, after which date it is to be placed in a state of "suspended animation". Its strength on the 31st December, 1957, was British officers five, British other ranks two, African other ranks 161, and its establishment on that date was British officers four, British other ranks two, African other ranks 167.
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Intresting page! Just write Gambia in the search field when you are on the site and you can see all questions and answers on the Gambia (1803-2005).
For example at:
COLONIES
(COMPULSORY MILITARY SERVICE).HC Deb 19 June 1940 vol 362 cc166-7 167
§ 15. Captain Plugge asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give the names of those Colonies in which compulsory military training has been introduced; and whether he will recommend the adoption of this step in those Colonies where the system has not already been introduced?
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. George Hall) Legislation providing for compulsory military service exists in the British Solomon Islands, Ceylon, the Falkland Islands, Fiji, the Gilbert and Ellice Islands, Hong Kong, Kenya, Uganda, Malaya, Tonga, Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland. Proposals are now under consideration for the introduction of similar legislation in the four West African Colonies, namely, the Gambia, Sierra Leone, Gold Coast and Nigeria. It has not so far been found necessary to introduce legislation of this kind in other parts of the Colonial Empire.
§ Sir P. Hannon Is the Minister giving the suggestion to the various parts of the Colonial Empire, because he ought to institute a service of this kind at the earliest possible moment, in view of the present situation?
§ Mr. Hall I made reference to that point in the concluding part of my reply.
§ Dr. Haden Guest Will the extension to the West African Colonies include the Protectorates as well as the Colonies proper?
§ Mr. Hall I have given the names of Gambia, Sierra Leone, Gold Coast and Nigeria.
Dr. Guest The hon. Gentleman will, of course, be aware that in the case of Nigeria part of it is a Colony and part of it is a Protectorate. Will this apply to both parts?
§ Mr. Hall I will look into that and will let the hon. Member know.
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
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snuggels
960 Posts |
Posted - 22 Aug 2009 : 21:48:55
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Toubab
"These people were forced to fight the Japs"
Were any Gambians or West Africans involved in building of the Burma railway and the notoriouse "Hell Fire Pass" as depicted in the film
The Bridge Over The River Kwia |
Edited by - snuggels on 23 Aug 2009 11:56:42 |
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 23 Aug 2009 : 13:21:52
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quote:
Originally posted by snuggels
Toubab
"These people were forced to fight the Japs"
Were any Gambians or West Africans involved in building of the Burma railway and the notoriouse "Hell Fire Pass" as depicted in the film
The Bridge Over The River Kwia
I can't assist on that, I understand that Kons has researched the Gambian side of things he may well post a reply to your enquiry. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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snuggels
960 Posts |
Posted - 23 Aug 2009 : 13:29:27
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As a matter of interest
As has been pointed out that West Africans appears to of had little or no choice in joining the war effort by the British, it was the same with the Japanese with Asian men from countries mostly Chinese, Malays and Tamils from Malaya. To build the notorious Burma railway in Thailand
It was well documented by the British Army that 12624 allied troop’s prisoners of war (POW) died building the death railway as it was known. While dreadful small in number compared with the Asians that died what is less well known it is estimated that 80,000 Asians also died building it.
I have been there and walked through Hell Fire Pass which is cut though solid rock where so many died it was a very moving experience the sheer scale of what they achieved in such terrible conditions and no mercy shown by the Japanese It brought a lump to your throat and a tear to your eye “A sleeper laid for every life lost”
Now back to thread |
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tamsier
United Kingdom
556 Posts |
Posted - 24 Aug 2009 : 14:09:19
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Momodou,
Sorry in a rush.
If your father had been a member of the forces and had survived, I am certain that what he had told you is right about his experiences. I however, appreciate your need to verify. Places that might be able to help:
war museum, national archives at kew london, etc. Army personnel would have been given a diary and they would be expected to log their daily experiences. Since you are not particularly interested in the names of service personnel, only events, I honest thing the best place to look would be in service personnel diaries. Contact above organisations who may be able to give you more information on obtaining copies of those records. since only those educated were given such diaries, you may find that you might be looking at the diaries of those who were british [and some gambians]. However, before applying for these records, you will need to know which regiment and where your father served. |
Tamsier
Serere heritage. Serere religion. Serere to the end.
Roog a fa ha. |
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Momodou
Denmark
11641 Posts |
Posted - 24 Aug 2009 : 14:24:24
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| Tamsir, thanks. I have his papers from the army with dates. There are details on his papers which I don't want to go into but I hope to visit those places you mentioned whenever I go to London one day. |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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