British Solomon Islands Protectorate Defence Force
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The British Solomon Islands Protectorate Defence Force (BSIPDF) was the British colonial military force of the British Solomon Islands Protectorate. The Solomon Islands has not had military forces since it achieved independence from Britain in 1976. Although the BSIPDF was very small, it played a significant role in the Solomon Islands campaign of World War II.
Officers born in the United Kingdom usually led BSIPDF troops. During the Pacific War of 1942-45, 680 indigenous Solomon Islanders enlisted in the BSIPDF and served in battles such as the Battle of Guadalcanal, alongside Allied forces, fighting the Empire of Japan.[1] (Another 2,000 enrolled in the separate Solomon Islands Labour Corps.)
Prominent members of the BSIPDF include:
- Sir David Clive Crosbie Trench, MC, U.S. Legion of Merit
- Martin Clemens CBE, MC, AM
- Sir Jacob Vouza, MBE, GM, U.S. Silver Star, U.S. Legion of Merit
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