1868 - Defence Force of St. Kitts-Nevis
Colonial West Indian authorities always had been mindful of the latent capacity on the part of their black subjects for disturbances and riots. Although every British Caribbean colony was unique, resentment and discontent simmered below the surface, and the police and estate overseers in all the islands took note of strikes, threats, grumbling, vandalism and arson. Riots or major disturbances seemed inevitable in such an atmosphere and were more indicative of a general malaise than of the specific incidents provoking them.
The St. Kitts and Nevis Defence Force (SKNDF) was established in 1896 as a result of riots on St. Kitts, especially the one commonly known as the Portuguese Riot at Needsmust Estate on the eastern section of Basseterre in which a large number of properties were destroyed on 17 February 1896. The composition of the Defence Force at that time was two-fold – mounted and infantry units – and was made up of white managers of the plantocracy under the command of an Englishman.
In the month of February 1896 very serious disturbances took place in St. Kitts, which arose from some dispute about wages between the employer and employed. The town of Basseterre, the capital of the island, was attacked by the rioters who broke into the stores, set fire to the houses, etc. As the police were unable to quell the disturbances, marines were landed from H.M.S. Cordelia (Capt. Hon. M. A, Bourke) which had been summoned. Four or five of the mob were killed. About 150 rioters were apprehended, and were tried and convicted on various counts—arson, conspiracy to raise rates, rioting, etc. : the presence of H.M.S Tartar (which succeeded the Cordelia) tending to prevent any disturbance during the trials.
The Defence Force of St. Kitts-Nevis was established under the Defence Ordinance No. 4 of 1903. This Ordinance (except as regards a few minor details) is identical in form and substance with the Antigua Defence Force Ordinance of 1903; its provisions have not therefore been described in detail. The Defence Reserve Ordinance No. 5 of 1903 authorises the Governor to form a reserve for the Defence Force.
The "contingent compulsory service clauses" of the Defence Force Ordinance are brought into force — (a) In St. Kitts, when the Defence Force in that Island falls below a strength of 240 men, or shall comprise less than 80 mounted infantrymen; and (b) In Nevis, when the strength of the Nevis contingent of the Defence Force falls below 60. Liability to compulsory service extends to all male persons, with certain exemptions, between the ages of 17 and 40, and the requisite number is obtained by ballot.
The Defence Force consists of companies of mounted infantry and infantry, the numbers being determined by the Governor. On the 31st December, 1900, the force consisted of three companies, with a total strength of 14 officers, and 106 rank and file, including 26 mounted infantry. Two of the companies belong to St. Kitts and one to Nevis. The pattern of arms and nature of training were the same as in Antigua. Headquarters are at Basseterre. A reorganisation of the force, involving the disbandment of the mounted infantry, was carried out shortly.
There was one Rifle Club at St. Kitts called the St. Kitts-Nevis Rifle Association. The Association had 30 members in 1901. The rifles used are Lee Metford and Martini-Enfield. Members pay an annual subscription of 5s. There are no rules as to the qualifications for admission. The affairs of the Club are managed by a committee of five elected annually. The Club was not supported by Government, and the services of the members were not available for defence purposes in times of emergency.
This Presidency, formed in 1882, consists of the Islands of St. Christopher (St. Kitts), Nevis, and Anguilla, with their several dependencies. St. Kitts passed in its entirety into the hands of Great Britain on the signing of the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713. With all the other Leeward Islands it was captured by the French in the beginning of the wars of the American Independence, but was recaptured after Rodney's victory in 1783. Nevis was colonised by the English from St. Kitts in 1628. In 1891 the population amounted to St. Kitts, 29,137; Nevis, 11,864; Anguilla, 2,500.
The Militia of St. Kitts took part in the "vigorous and noble defence " opposed to the French invasion of the Island in 1782. It was again embodied in 1858, in consequence of the riots in Antigua, and its services were also called into requisition in 1861. Three years afterwards a body of the Militia volunteered for service in Anguilla, where a serious insurrection was reported to have taken place. The report proved to be somewhat exaggerated, but the presence of the force was decidedly beneficial, and led to a speedy settlement of the matters in dispute.
Act No. 24 of 1868, amended by No. 129 of 1873, repealed previous Acts, and prescribed a definite organisation of two troops of Yeomanry and a horse artillery corps. These attended compulsory drills eight times in the year, and at such other times as the Governor considered necessary. In 1874 they had a strength of 11 officers and 75 men. For various reasons they were disbanded in 1888, but after the riots of 1896 a Volunteer corps was formed under Ordinance No. 8 of that year, and consisted of 50 mounted infantry and 50 infantry. This Ordinance was repealed by the Defence Force Ordinance, 1898, which provides for a Volunteer force, consisting of such mounted infantry and infantry as the Governor may determine. The liability to "actual service," annual issue of ammunition, capitation grants, and rates of pay, were practioally the same as in Antigua.
St. Kitts was a member of the West Indian Regiment, which was formed with the aim of training West Indians for war. During World War II, the Leeward Islands Battalion, which was a sub-branch of the West Indian Regiment, was stationed in the islands of St. Kitts, Antigua and Monsterrat and its duty was to protect the mainland coast from possible invasion by the German Army. However, with the federal movement and legislations passed, along with the islands pushing for independence, the Battalion was disbanded and the defence forces separated with St. Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla merging.
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