“In the shadows of global conflict, the voices of ordinary African soldiers too often go unheard. No Small Thing shines a powerful light on the extraordinary yet overlooked contributions of Cameroonian servicemen in World War II. With compassion and historical rigor, Robert J. O’Neil — a priest and long-time missionary in Cameroon — weaves together firsthand accounts of ex-servicemen like Joseph Tepe Ndikum, whose courage and sacrifice, though lacking formal recognition, were anything but small.
Through vivid testimony and meticulous research, O’Neil reconstructs the forgotten journeys of these men — some barely literate, many far from home — who fought and served with distinction across West Africa, North Africa, India, and the treacherous jungles of Burma as part of the Royal West African Frontier Force and the 81st West African Division. Their service was vital to the Allied victory, yet their stories remain largely absent from mainstream narratives.
More than a military history, No Small Thing is a tribute to resilience, patriotism, and human dignity. It provides crucial historical context — from British Kamerun after World War I to life under colonial rule — offering readers a deeper understanding of the roots and legacy of African involvement in global warfare.
Drawing from sources such as Another Man’s War by Barnaby Phillips and Fighting for Britain by David Killingray, this book adds a much-needed African voice to the broader story of World War II. It is a stirring reminder that history is made not only by generals and politicians, but by the brave actions of the forgotten many.
Fr. Robert J. O’Neil brings decades of missionary service and scholarly insight to this deeply human narrative. No Small Thing is his tribute to the lives, struggles, and unyielding spirit of Cameroonian veterans whose bravery deserves both remembrance and honor.”