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Auction: 19003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 325

'I also require early information by means of spies whether or not Okuta has been occupied by the French, and whether an endeavour is being made by them to take possession of Nikki. Your will engage spies and obtain such information as Lieutenant-Colonel Allen may wish to obtain from time to time … '

A confidential report from Government House, Lagos, dated 9 October 1897, addressed to Frank Rohrweger, Political Officer of the Lagos Hausa Force.

An intriguing C.M.G. pair awarded to Frank Rohrweger, a colonial magistrate who onetime acted as Governor - and Chief Justice - of Lagos

In late 1897, he was called to arms as Political Officer to the Lagos Hausa Force, accompanying an expedition into the hinterland to counter local French ambitions and, by means of spies - and sound judgment - averted a likely diplomatic incident in the 'Scramble for Africa'

The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George (C.M.G.), Companion's neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel, converted from breast wear; East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, 1897-98 (F. Rohrweger, Lagos Hausa Force), suspension post a little bent, edge bruising, otherwise very fine (2)

C.M.G. London Gazette 2 January 1899:

'For services as Political Officer attached to the Forces in the Lagos Protectorate'.

Frank Rohrweger was born on 20 January 1859, the second son of Julius Charles Rohrweger of Uplands, Loughton, Essex; his German father had arrived in England in 1837, in order to pursue a career as a commodity broker in the City.

Young Frank was educated at Radley, where he became a prefect and excelled in rowing and fives, prior to studying law at Brasenose College, Oxford; he was called to the Bar, Inner Temple, in 1885.

The Lagos Hinterland

In 1894, Rohrweger was appointed a District Commissioner in Lagos, but two years later, on the recommendation of the Governor, Sir Gilbert Carter, he became the colony's first Police Magistrate:

'Mr. Rohrweger is a barrister of great experience and a man of considerable intelligence and general ability. He is undoubtedly better suited for the post than I might say any officer connected to my administration. There is a strong, I fear not very scrupulous local Bar at Lagos. Mr. Rohrweger has to prove himself quite capable of dealing with them.'

Rohrweger was to remain in the post of Police Magistrate until 1903, in addition to terms of acting as Colonial Secretary, Chief Justice and Governor in the interim; he stood in as acting Governor as early as 1896, pending the arrival of Sir Gilbert's successor.

If, meanwhile, his duties in dealing with unscrupulous local legal types had proved difficult, greater challenges lay ahead. For trouble was brewing in the hinterland on account of French interests in West Africa, so much so that a force of a hundred Lagos Hausas, under Captain Neal, was ordered to Abba Akuta in late 1897, its aim to discourage further French incursions into British-influenced territory.

Appointed Political Officer to Neal's force, Rohrweger received confidential orders from the colony's new Governor, Sir Henry McCallum - orders partly cited above. In summary, Rohrweger was presented with the onerous responsibility of avoiding an armed clash with French sympathisers in the region but to - if possible - still advance British interests. His ambiguous task is neatly summed-up in a message received by Captain Neal, direct from the Chief of Staff of the West India Regiment:

'You will be good enough to remain with your detachment until further orders, encamped outside the town of Bode in such situation as you may consider most desirable. Kissi is on no account to be occupied by force, especially if the French flag still be flying. But if the Political Officer [Rohrweger] can assure you that they have evacuated the town, and that the natives are willing to receive the English flag, you will then occupy it with a small force.'

At the end of December 1897, Lieutenant-Colonel D. M. Allen joined Neal and Rohrweger at Bode with reinforcements. Nonetheless, in respect of bringing the 'Prince of Bode' on board, final negotiations were left in Rohrweger's capable hands.

A glimpse of his activities in the hinterland at this time may be found in one of his confidential reports to Sir Henry McCallum:

'My last report will have informed you that the occupation of Berebere and Ilesha has been carried out exactly on the lines now indicated by your Excellency … immediately on receipt of your letter, I despatched a messenger to Okuta through Ilesha, offering the King the same protection as has been given to Berebere and Ilesha. Assuming that we win the race to Okuta, a letter will be addressed to the French commander informing of the fact of our occupation. Colonel Allen, with a strong force of the West India Regiment and two 7-pounders, will follow us 24 hours later, and he will be at hand without actually entering Okuta. Every possibility will be taken to avoid the possibility of a collision with the French … '

With the establishment of the West African Frontier Force in early 1898, operations in the hinterland were handed over to the unit's new Commandant Colonel. But Rohrweger's services had not gone unnoticed, Sir Henry McCallum placing his name atop a list of officers worthy of reward:

'Mr. Rohrweger - Police Magistrate - whom I appointed Political Officer has won the confidence of the natives amongst whom he appears to be popular. He has manifested great activity, walks well, is not afraid of exposure and hard work and has carried out the different missions ordered by me with great ability.'

He was duly appointed C.M.G.

Postscript

Rohrweger afterwards became British Resident in Abeokuta, West Africa, prior to retiring to Galle, Ceylon. He died there on 25 April 1920.

His career in Lagos had ground to a halt in 1903, following his succumbing to delirium tremens: the fate of too many good men subjected to the challenging conditions - and climate - of Empire; sold with an extensive file of copied research.


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Estimate
£800 to £1,000

Starting price
£550