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Auction: 1028 - The "Wilkin" Collection of British West Africa Postal History and British Africa Stamps from the Vestey Collection
Lot: 307

Northern Nigeria West African Frontier Force 1906 (25 Feb.) envelope (with 7 page letter headed "Nafada") from Capt. Wilkin to his step-brother in London, bearing 1905 1d. tied by "bautchi northern nigeria" double-ring d.s. for 2nd March and, on reverse, Zungeru (3.4), Lokoja (9.4) and arrival c.d.s. The letter includes "Yours of Jan 4th has just arrived and the post office leaves tomorrow morning"...."we were wondering whether the affair at Sokoto will lead to anything. You see, Oshman-dan-Fodis about a century ago, said that only 13 sultans would reign at Sokoto, but that four years later the newcomers would be expelled. The first part came true, & Feb. 4th was the fourth anniversary of the Hadj since the capture of Sokoto. One Mallam arrested at Birri, near here, was of course trying to stir the people up. Probably it will not spread, and of course in any case (unless the soldiers go over, which is highly improbable), the rising will be easily repressed. All we know is that our troops have been defeated at or near Sokoto and the resident, two officers and 70 men killed or missing and the doctor wounded - practically a wipe out. I believe the natives have only learned the news today, I was informed on the 19th all detachments have been called in so I shall have 140 men here by tomorrow". Photo Estimate £ 500-600 Note: The action mention in the letter was at Satiru, south of Sokoto where fanatical Mohamedans killed two political officers and routed a company of mounted infantry and the C.O. Lieutenant Blackwood was killed.

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£380