Richard Corfield

Richard Conyngham Corfield (27 April 1882 – 9 August 1913) was a British colonial police officer who saw service in South Africa, Nigeria, India, Kenya and Somalia in the early 20th century.

Early life

Corfield was born in Heanor, Derbyshire, the eldest of three children of the rector of Heanor, Conyngham William George Corfield and Henrietta, née Edwards. Corfield was only six years old when his father died. He first attended a dame school. In 1892 he attended Spurlings Preparatory School and then in 1896 went to Marlborough College.^[1]

Early career

After leaving school, Corfield worked for a shipping company in Liverpool, the T. & J. Harrison Line, run by an uncle, Thomas Fenwick Harrison. Soon after starting work the Anglo-Boer war broke out in South Africa. Corfield immediately joined the Volunteers camped on Salisbury Plain, but later enlisted in the Baden Powell Police, sailing for Africa in December 1900. In June 1902, he was recommended for a commission, but this was rejected due to his youth.^[1]

In 1905, Corfield returned to England, applied for the post of Political Officer in

Mad Mullah", was inciting local people against the British. By 1910, he had been subdued but not beaten.^[1]

In May 1910 Corfield again returned to England, but by September he was on his way to

Muslim inhabitants from the north part of the country. He saw action at Ganawari and other skirmishes.^[1]

Further trouble was brewing in British Somaliland, and a

Odweyne in British Somaliland

.

Return to Somaliland and Death

The Camel Constabulary took to the field in December 1912 and Corfield was authorised to punish those opposing British rule. However, he was instructed to avoid a direct confrontation with Mohammed Abdullah Hassan.

Dervish army close to Dul Madoba.^[1]

Dul Madoba is a ridge some 25 miles (40 km) southeast of

Mohammed Abdullah Hassan, nicknamed by the British as the Mad Mullah. Thirty-six of the Constabulary including Corfield were killed in action and 21 were wounded. Many of the Dervish were also killed or wounded.^[4]

References

Bartholet, Jeffrey (12 October 2009). "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World". Newsweek. pp. 43–47 – via ).
ASIN B000WFUQT8. Retrieved 23 March 2023 – via Google Books
.

Notes

^
ISBN 0-646-14333-6
.

^ Omar, Mohamed (2001). The Scramble in the Horn of Africa. p. 402. This letter is sent by all the Dervishes, the Amir, and all the Dolbahanta to the Ruler of Berbera ... We are a Government, we have a Sultan, an Amir, and Chiefs, and subjects ... (reply) In his last letter the Mullah pretends to speak in the name of the Dervishes, their Amir (himself), and the Dolbahanta tribes. This letter shows his object is to establish himself as the Ruler of the Dolbahanta
^ Laurence, M. (2003). Heart of a Stranger. Canada: University of Alberta Press.pp.44-45
^ "Churchill and the Mad Mullah of Somaliland: Betrayal and Redemption 1899-1921 p.156".

[Corfield-1] 
ISBN 0-646-14333-6
.

[scr-2] Omar, Mohamed (2001). The Scramble in the Horn of Africa. p. 402. This letter is sent by all the Dervishes, the Amir, and all the Dolbahanta to the Ruler of Berbera ... We are a Government, we have a Sultan, an Amir, and Chiefs, and subjects ... (reply) In his last letter the Mullah pretends to speak in the name of the Dervishes, their Amir (himself), and the Dolbahanta tribes. This letter shows his object is to establish himself as the Ruler of the Dolbahanta

[3] Laurence, M. (2003). Heart of a Stranger. Canada: University of Alberta Press.pp.44-45

[4] "Churchill and the Mad Mullah of Somaliland: Betrayal and Redemption 1899-1921 p.156".

[1]

[4]