RSM Alhaji GrunshiDCM MM, serving in the Gold Coast Regiment, was the first soldier in British service to fire a shot in the First World War. Early life First World War At the start of the First World War, Germany's West African colony of Togoland was isolated from the rest of the German Empire. Togoland had borders with the British Gold Coast to the west, French Dahomey to the east, and French West Africa to the north. Following the declaration of war by the British Empire on 4 August 1914, the colony was completely cut off from reinforcement. With no German military presence in Togoland in 1914, the colony was defenceless other than a police force of 660 Togolese police officers serving under 10 German sergeants. Grunshi survived the war, having fought in three African campaigns, and as a Lance Corporal was Mentioned in Despatches on 5 March 1918. On 13 March 1919, now a Sergeant , he was awarded the Military Medal for his part in the East African Campaign. Later life
Alhaji Grunshi, , serving in the Gold Coast Regiment, was the first soldier in British service to fire a shot in the First World War. First World War At the start of the First World War, Germany's West African colony of Togoland was isolated from the rest of the German Empire. Togoland had borders with the British Gold Coast to the west, French Dahomey to the east, and French West Africa to the north. Following the declaration of war by the British Empire on 4 August 1914, the colony was completely cut off from reinforcement. With no German military presence in Togoland in 1914, the colony was defenceless other than a police force of 660 Togolese police officers serving under 10 German sergeants. Grunshi survived the war, having fought in three African campaigns, and as a lance corporal was Mentioned in Despatches on 5 March 1918. On 13 March 1919, now a sergeant , he was awarded the Military Medal for his part in the East African Campaign. 
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RSM Alhaji GrunshiDCM MM,
Alhaji Grunshi, ,
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Early life
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Lance Corporal
lance corporal
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Sergeant
sergeant
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Later life