A mighty hunter

Capt James Sutherland
Nyassaland Field Force

Captain Sutherland was awarded the Legion d'Honneur, Croix de Chevalier, for conspicuously good service as Special Guide to the Nyasaland Field Force.

Captain  Sutherland, who is a son of the late Mr James Sutherland, fishcurer, Lewis Street, Stornoway, is admittedly the world's mightiest elephant hunter. The thrilling tales he has to tell of his encounters with the mammoths of the African forest are related in his fascinating book, "Adventures of an Elephant Hunter" 'published in 1912).

At the time this book was written Mr Sutherland had killed 447 bull elephants (he takes no account of cows). When war broke out he was hunting in German East Africa, and the Huns tried to keep him prisoner, but he eluded them by making a detour of 500 miles, getting out of enemy territory through Portuguese East Africa, and on to Fort Johnston, in Nyasaland. He was  engaged by the Governor of that colony as Intelligence Officer. In June, 1915, he was severely wounded— a German sniper getting him with an explosive bullet in the abdomen.

When the conquest of German East Africa was decided upon by the Government, he was made Chief Intelligence. Officer and Provost Marshall on the staff of Brigadier-General Northey, with the rank of Lieutenant. He was promoted Captain in 1916 and was mentioned several times in despatches for his services in the field.