Burma Frontier Constabulary
After the re-conquest of Burma a Frontier Constabulary was created to take on the security problems of Burma’s north-eastern borders which before the war had been the responsibility of the Burma Frontier Force. It seems that two battalions of the Constabulary were formed, the Northern and the Southern Shan States Battalions. These were able to take over the pre-war headquarters and barracks of the Burma Frontier Force battalions. These buildings survived the war pretty much intact. The Burma Frontier Constabulary had a short existence, disappearing by January 1948 at the independence of Burma.
This photograph is kindly provided by the family of James Edward Battle, the commanding officer of the Southern Shan States Battalion, Burma Frontier Constabulary. He can be seen in this group of officers of ‘C’ and ‘D’ Companies. The address of the photographer who took the photo, found stamped on the reverse, indicates that the location is Taunggyi - the headquarters of the pre-war Burma Frontier Force battalion of the same name.
Group photo of officers of 'C' and 'D' Companies, Southern Shan States Battalion, Burma Frontier Constabulary. The photo is thought to have been taken at Taunggyi between 1945 and 1947.
Seated at centre is the commanding officer, James Edward Battle. (Battle family)
Further details of the Burma Frontier Constabulary can be found at: https://www.britishempire.co.uk/forces/armyunits/burma/bfc.htm
In the immediate post-war period, the place of the Burma Military Police was taken by a new force called the Armed Police. After independence on 4th January 1948, this force became the Union Military Police (U.M.P.).
16 January 2021