OUTRIDER OF EMPIRE
The Life and Adventures of Roger Pocock
Now published and available.
The long-awaited biography of Roger Pocock,
by Geoffrey A. Pocock, Hon. Historian of the Legion of Frontiersmen (Countess Mountbatten's Own)

One Hundred Years
Now published and available. A new book about the history of the Legion of Frontiersmen, from Geoffrey A. Pocock, Hon. Historian of the Legion of Frontiersmen (Countess Mountbatten's Own)

Colonel Manuel Herrera de Hora Biography

The first real “rogue” of the Legion of Frontiersmen was Colonel Manuel Herrera de Hora, the first London Commandant. For a start, this was not his real name. He was christened Henry George Melville Hora but was known by many other names, including Henri Melville and George King. He was such a plausible liar that his stories were believed by many of his fellow Frontiersmen as well as others outside the Legion. However, to know the full amazing story of de Hora, we recommend Bruce G. Fuller’s biography of him de Hora: A man of many places & many names (Auckland, New Zealand. Fenreach Family Trust). For ordering details please contact the author by e-mail: fenreach@ihug.co.nz

Suggested books with reference to the history

This list is only intended as a guide

"Secret Service"
by Christopher Andrew, pub. Heinemann, 1985
The author feels that many early Frontiersmen stories were somewhat fanciful, but the recent release of the M.I.5 files 1908-19 at the P.R.O. show there was more than an element of truth in some of these stories.

"Scaremongers"
The Advocacy of War & Re-armament 1896-1914, by A.J.A. Morris, pub. R.K.P. 1984
This book gives a good idea of the background and public feelings which had a major part in the formation of the Legion.

"Baden-Powell"
by Tim Jeal, pub. Hutchinson 1989
Particularly in the early days, there was always a close relationship between the Scouts and the Legion. This book discusses the way the relationship started and developed.
This book is currently available from amazon.co.uk. For more details, just click on the link below.

Baden-Powell

"Sons of the Empire"
The Frontier and the Boy Scout movement
1890-1918
by Robert H. MacDonald, pub University of Toronto Press 1993
A clear and well-researched book on the adventurer and Frontiersmen in that period. With considerable detail on the early Frontiersmen.

(The above four authors consulted me and asked for information from my researches which I was happy to provide. Any small contribution I made is kindly credited in the books by these noted historians)

"Following the Frontier"
by Roger Pocock, recently reprinted, pub. The Long Riders' Guild Press.
This book is currently available from amazon.co.uk. For more details, just click on the link below.

Following the Frontier

"Chorus to Adventurers"
by Roger Pocock, pub. John Lane,
The Bodley Head, 1931

"Myself a Player"
by Lena Ashwell, pub. Michael Joseph, 1936.
The autobiography of Roger Pocock's sister.

"The History of the Legion of Frontiersmen"
with particular reference to the Legion of Frontiersmen, Canadian Division.
Complied and produced by the Legion of Frontiersmen (Canadian Division), Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.

"The Frontiersman's Pocket Book"
ed. Roger Pocock, pub. John Murray, 1909
Very rare.

25th Fusiliers (Frontiersmen). There are a number of books which make reference to their service in East Africa during the First War. The following are some of the major ones.

"The Battle for the Bundu"
by Charles Miller, pub. 1974. later re-published in a Book Club Edition.

"The Royal Fusiliers in the Great War"
by H.C. O'Neill, Heinemann, 1922
One chapter on the 25th Fusiliers (Frontiersmen)

"Three Years of War in East Africa"
by Capt. Angus Buchanan,
pub. John Murray, 1919

"Army Diary, 1899-1926"
by Col. Richard Meinertzhagen,
pub. Oliver & Boyd, 1960

"Life of Frederick Courteney Selous"
by J.G. Millais, pub. Longman 1919.

"Marching on Tanga"
by Francis Brett Young, pub. Collins, 1917
(also fiction book "Jim Redlake" - where fictional characters say home truths about the campaign he could not otherwise write! - highly recommended reading)

"Adventures With Animals and Men"
by Cherry Kearton,
pub. Longmans Green & Co. 1935
(also "Photographing Wild Life Across the World" n.d. -192?- revised edition of pre-WW1 book, and "Cherry Kearton's Travels" 1942)

"The East African Force 1915-19"
by Brigadier C.P. Fendall, first pub. 1921, reprinted by The Battery Press, Nashville, 1992

"Military Operations, East Africa Vol.1"
compiled by Lt-Col Charles Hordern, founded on a draft by Major Stacke pub. The Battery Press in association with the Imperial War Museum, 1990

"Duel for Kilimanjaro"
by Leonard Mosley. first pub. 1963

"German East"
by Brian Gardner (1963)

"Jambo" or with Jannie in the Jungle
by Capt. A.W. Lloyd, M.C.
A brilliant artist

Many books by C.T. Stoneham refer to his service with the 25th Fusiliers, particularly "From Hobo to Hunter" and "The Phantom Flotilla" by Peter Shankland has some relevance. See also "Memories of Kenya" Stories from the Pioneers, ed. Arnold Curtis, pub. Evans Brothers Ltd.

"The Great Trans-Pacific Flight"
by Kingsford-Smith and Ulm.

Recently published (2000)
"Life & Death of Lord Erroll"
the truth behind the Happy Valley murder
by Errol Trzebinski, pub: 4th Estate
This book is currently available from amazon.co.uk. For more details, just click on the link below.

The Life and Death of Lord Erroll

Also of some interest is "Lost Lion of Empire" by Edward Paice, the story of "Cape-to-Cairo" Ewart Grogan, another keen Frontiersman, and an earlier book on Grogan "The Man from the Cape" by Norman Wymer.
"Lost Lion of Empire" is currently available from amazon.co.uk. For more details, just click on the link below.

Lost Lion of Empire

The following are the references for the historical outline on the page on Canada, supplied by Lt. B.W. Shandro, who is responsible for collating and archiving the history of the Legion of Frontiersmen in Canada:

1. correspondence dated 1905 & stamped "OFFICE OF THE COMPTROLLER R.N.W.M.P."
2. "A City Goes To War" by Stevens.
3 Nelson B.C. archives and National Archives of Canada.
4. "History of the Legion of Frontiersmen...", circa 1970, based on HQ files, by Brigadier Mack of the Legion of Frontiersmen (Canadian Division).
5. news items, 1914-'15-'16 via the Alberta Heritage Digitization Project
6. news article 1916 Regina Morning Leader
7. author's observations and conversations, 1977 to the present.

Thanks and acknowledgements are due to Will Shandro for supplying the details for the Canada page and for his general assistance and advice.

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