 The Sarawak Rangers were first commanded by William Henry Rodway, briefly in 1862 and again from 1872 to his retirement in 1881, and were highly skilled in jungle warfare and general policing duties, being equipped with various western rifles, cannons and native weaponry.They were based in a number of forts constructed at strategic locations in towns and at river mouths.Aside from protecting Sarawak's borders, they were used to fight any rebels and were engaged in a number of campaigns during their history.