the raid was launched from kisumu in british east africa on 21 june 1915. amongst the units chosen for the attack were the loyal north lancashire regiment and the 25th (frontiersmen) battalion, royal fusiliers, more commonly known by their nickname the 25th 'frontiersmen'. this unusual unit had been created by colonel daniel patrick driscoll as an irregular skirmish force shaped by his experiences during the second boer war, and drawn largely from his peacetime paramilitary group, the legion of frontiersmen. a number of big game hunters were recruited to the force by driscoll—most notably frederick selous, who was 64 when he joined and who died in action at the age of 65.