The Royal West African Frontier Force Long Service and Good Conduct Medal was established in September 1903 to reward native African NCOs and men who had completed 18 years, later reduced to 16 years, exemplary service in the Royal West African Frontier Force (RWAFF). The RWAFF was a multi-battalion field force, formed by the British Colonial Office in 1900 to garrison the West African colonies of Nigeria, Gold Coast, Sierra Leone and Gambia. The 'Royal' prefix was granted in 1928, and reflected in the title of the medal from that year.