About: Zanzibar Volunteer Defence Force

The Zanzibar Volunteer Defence Force was a military unit raised in the British protectorate of Zanzibar during the First World War. It was formed to supplement the Zanzibar garrison after defeat in the 4 November 1914 Battle of Tanga left British forces in the region on the defensive. Though enlistment was voluntary almost the entire able-bodied military-age European population of the protectorate joined the unit. After the British garrison was withdrawn in October 1915 the Zanzibar Volunteer Defence Force and other indigenous units were responsible for the defence of the protectorate.