The Independent Voices

and more:   https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/letters/armistice-centenary-first-world-war-britain-east-africa-germany-a8639766.html

With the passing of the centenary of the end of the First World War, I am sure that many will have moved their thoughts onto Christmas. The thing is, the centenary has not quite ended. In Africa the war continued until 25 November 1918, and still has her ceremonies to come. Africa’s part in the First World War is often overlooked, but it was equally horrific.

On 12 August 1914, the first shots of the war between German and British troops were fired in Africa and not Europe – this happened in the German colony of Togoland (modern day Togo).

This was more than a week before Britain’s first casualty, private John Parr, who was killed near Mons. The next day in Togoland, the first major confrontation happened on 22 August with some 23 killed.