The Burma Campaign

[Transcribed from National Archives File WO 203/5692 by:  Steve Rothwell - The Burma Campaign web site.]

 

 

Burma Frontier Force

Report on the B.F.F. 1939-1942

By Brig J.F. Bowerman[1]

 

Notes on the Burma Frontier Force 1939 to 1942

 

FORWARD

Prior to the war with Japan the Burma Frontier Force and Burma Military Police had earned a well deserved reputation for the part they had frequently played in settling internal disorders in Burma as well as watch and ward duties on the Burma Frontier.  Their work in the past has been completely forgotten and their credit has sunk considerably through no great fault of the men themselves.  If the two Forces are to be of real use again considerable changes will be necessary in their organization but another great factor in restoring their morale must be an understanding of the difficulties they have had to contend with during the past two years.

2.         Position prior to the outbreak of war with Germany

(i)     Strength.          In September 1939 there were six battalions in the Burma Frontier Force and three in the Military Police; the B.F.F. Battalions being Myitkyina, Bhamo, Northern Shan States, Southern Shan States, Chin Hills and Reserve; the Military Police units Mandalay, 1st Rangoon and 2nd Rangoon.[2]

(ii)   Terms of service and recruitment.       Men joining both Forces signed on for three years in the first instance but this was extendable and large numbers were permitted to serve until they had qualified for pension which in the case of sepoys began at fifteen years, N.C.Os eighteen years, G.C.Os twenty years.  The result of this system was that the average age was considerably higher than in regular units.[3]

In 1937 the separation of Burma from India brought changes in the system of recruitment which were not to the advantage of Burma.  Up to 1937 Gurkhas had been enlisted through the Army, the type obtained being chiefly from Eastern Nepal and below average of that in Gurkha units and the Assam Rifles.  All Sikhs were Jats, P.Ms [Punjabi Mussalmen (Muslims)] came mainly from the trans-Jhelum areas, both these classes comparing favourably with enlistments on regular units.  From 1937 the quota of Gurkhas was cut down considerably by India which resulted in a big increase in the recruitment of a poorer type born and bred in Burma.  The enlistment of Jat Sikhs was also greatly restricted and other classes insisted on, while P.Ms although not cut down had to be enlisted from fresh districts in the Cis-Jhelum area.  This resulted in a falling off in the general standard of recruits in the two Forces.

(iii) Organization.   Each Bn. had a H.Q. wing, Training Coy, and a varying number of Rifles Coys.  Coys consisted of 3 platoons and a Coy H.Q. platoon but automatic weapons were restricted to one Lewis gun per coy and there were no mortars in the Force.  British officers were few in number, each battalion having a commandant with one or two Assistant Commandants at H.Q.; Assistant Commandants were also allotted to certain selected outposts and appointments.

(iv) Duties. The duties of the B.F.F. were “watch and ward” along the frontier, provision of escorts and guards to Civil Departments and reinforcing the B.M.P. for internal security duties.  The B.M.P. were to all intents and purposes armed civil police and had detachments at the Headquarters of all Districts in Burma proper which were always under the command of Civil Police officers.

At the time of the outbreak of war there were large numbers of the Frontier Force in Rangoon which had been there since an outbreak of riots and strikes in 1938.  The result was that it had been impossible in many cases for battalions to carry out normal reliefs of outposts with the result that the efficiency of the Force had suffered considerably.

3.         Interim period between outbreak of war with Germany and outbreak of war with Japan.

(i)     Formation of Kokine Bn.         At the end of 1939 a number of aerodromes were under construction in Burma and detachments had to be found for their protection.  These were at first found from different bns in the Force but in 1940 the Kokine Bn was formed to carry out these specialised duties. [4] [5]

(ii)   Formation of 7th and 8th Burif.           At the end of 1940 8th Burif was formed from British officers of the B.F.F. and specially selected Sikhs and P.Ms who had volunteered for active service anywhere.[6]  Similarly the B.M.P. did their share by producing a large number of men for the newly raised 7 Burif.[7]

(iii) Formation of F.Fs.       In 1941 it was decided to raise units from within the Force to carry out specific tasks on the frontier.  These units were formed from columns provided by different bns each of which was to be capable of functioning independently.  The role of these units was that of harassing and delaying the advance of an enemy until such time as he could be engaged by the regular troops who would be brought up from the rear.  Columns were placed under young officers, most of whom were straight from cadet training units, and the units were commanded by selected senior Assistant Commandants with inadequate H.Q. staffs which included only one British officer who tried to combine the duties of Adj. and Q.M. – an impossible task under service conditions.  Normal F.F. fire power was increased by allotting one L.M.G. per pl., five Thompson and one mortar per column but it was still far below that of regular units or of the enemy.  To add to the difficulties the units did not get their new weapons until after war with Japan had broken out, and they were called upon to use them in action before they had had time to learn to handle them efficiently.

(iv) Effect of raising new units.      The formation of these new bns and F.Fs caused a very considerable lowering of efficiency in bns as all regular Assistant Commandants were posted to them as were the best of the GCOs, NCOs and men in the Force.  The result was that Bn H.Qs found themselves reduced to the status of depots with many of the men unfit or re-enlisted pensioners, and usually one brand new Assistant Commandant and a Commandant to supervise the training of recruits and H.Q. duties.

4.         Effect of the war with Japan.

(i)     Control of the Force.   Shortly before the end of 1941 F.F. units in the Southern Shan States[8] and Tenasserim[9] were placed under operational control of the Army and became subject to the Burma Army Act.  Army scales of rations and clothing were sanctioned for them, but for all other purposes they remained under I.G.B.F.F. [Inspector General, Burma Frontier Force].  At a later date the whole of the Force was put under the G.O.C. for operational purposes.  The varieties of systems in different areas was a decided disadvantage and it would have been infinitely better if the whole Force had been placed under the Army immediately the war broke out with Japan.  The position in the B.M.P. was different and they continued as before until April [1942], they were then put under the G.O.C. for operations and merged into the B.F.F. for other purposes.  The I.G.B.F.F., who in peace time was head of the Force, was appointed to the charge of Central Area during January 1942.  Withdrawals in Lower Burma increased the importance of this office and it soon became almost impossible for one officer to carry out the dual role.  The transfer of F.F.H.Q. to Myitkyina, and the retention of Central Area H.Q. in YENANGYAUNG completely divorced the I.G. from the Frontier Force and it was very obvious that a separate officer was required to supervise its administration.  Nothing was done to rectify this and HQs of Bns found it impossible to get decisions on many important problems with which they were confronted and were left to carry on to the best of their ability often completely out of touch with what was going on in Burma itself.

(ii)   Effect on Battalions.   

(a)    Kokine Bn.      This Bn was charged with the protection of landing grounds and was the first one to come into contact with the Japanese.[10]  The garrison at Victoria Point was very soon withdrawn as it was in a completely isolated position.  Garrisons at MERGUI, TAVOY and MOULMEIN were in turn forced to leave their posts as the Japanese advanced northwards through TENASSERIM.  Some of these men did well, others badly, but apart from the morale in TENASSERIM being of an all round low level, the departure of the unarmed R.A.F. staffs from threatened landing grounds unquestionably had a demoralising effect on troops who had no B.Os commanding them.  The garrisons of the landing grounds for the most part found their way back to the HQ of their bn in Rangoon, but numbers of the indigenous classes deserted to their homes.[11]

After Tenasserim had been occupied by the Japs Kokine Bn HQ remained at Rangoon carrying out duties in the city until evacuation was decided on, the bn then left for India by sea and eventually ended up in Assam where it is at present engaged in L of C duties.[12] [13] [14]

(b)   Southern Shan States Bn.         This bn had five of its active Coys in F.Fs and the two remaining ones on landing grounds at HEHO and NAMSANG.  Guards and escort duties at HQ were carried out by a garrison coy of ex-service men, recruited from local pensioners plus details left behind, and the training coy also functioned at HQ in Taunggyi.

From the beginning of February [1942] there was only one officer present at HQ of the bn, this being an ABRO [Army in Burma Reserve of Officers] subaltern with less than one year’s service who spoke practically no Hindustani or Burmese.

At the end of April TAUNGGYI was evacuated.  The garrison coy was disbanded and HQ of the bn consisting of about 150 IORs and 100 recruits marched out through LAWKSAWK picking up the HEHO landing ground detachment on the way.  The party reached the HSIPAW-MAYMYO road to find the Japs had already pushed up to LASHIO along it.  They then marched over the hills through MOGOK towards MYITKYINA where F.F.H.Q. were thought to be.[15]  On arrival at KATHA it was found that the Japs had already been there and gone up to BHAMO by river on the previous day.  As there were considerable difficulties in getting food  and a large body with recruits would draw attention, it was decided to divide the formation into smaller groups under GCOs and to send these by different paths to the HUKAWNG VALLEY, and on to India.  It is estimated that the men marched at least 800 miles before they reached their destination with no supply arrangements made for the major part of the journey.[16]

(c)    Northern Shan States Bn.         This bn found a company for the landing ground at LASHIO and had garrisons in the Wa States, and outposts at KUTKAI and KYUHKOK.  There were also details at LASHIO as well as recruits.  The command of the bn had changed three times in six months, and on April 25 the Commandant who had been in charge for less than a month had one inexperienced Assistant Commandant with him who was in a very indifferent state of health and had to be evacuated to MYITKYINA on May 1st.  The rapid Japanese advance from LOILEM had caught LASHIO unprepared for evacuation.  A limited amount of M.T. was available.  Troops belonging to S.S.S. Area H.Q. and evacuees were passing through from TAUNGGYI and MAYMYO while large quantities of M.T. from 5th Chinese Army were hurrying through on their way back to CHINA.

Positions were taken up by the bn to cover the southern approach to LASHIO and a coy was posted north of the town to cover any withdrawal from LASHIO and to prevent the town from being cut off.

During 25 April Jap recce planes attacked the aerodrome and F.F. lines on two occasions and C.E.F.H.Q. [Chinese Expeditionary Force H.Q.] decided to withdraw towards China, preparation being made by the Chinese to blow the bridges north of LASHIO.  The R.A.F. and supply units also carried out the destruction of stores and equipment.  In the evening firing broke out at several points south of LASHIO and a considerable number of men were unable to stand the strain and deserted from their posts making northwards.  The B.C.[17] marched out with the balance at dark and moved northwards, collecting stragglers as far as possible until the SHWELI bridge was reached.  Orders were given to him to delay the enemy as far as possible at this bridge and to destroy it before retiring.  Both he and the majority of men with him were cut off at the bridge and stragglers with no B.O. to take charge of them pushed northwards until they reached Assam.[18]

Indigenous garrisons stationed in the Wa States remained in Burma but the remainder with the Assistant Commandant in charge made their way to India with extreme difficulty.

(d)   Bhamo Bn.      Bhamo Bn HQ consisted merely of a depot with a staff for training all Kachin recruits for the Force.  The bn was commanded by an officer who had been recalled for duty from pension in 1939 and who was unfit for active service.[19]  With him were two Assistant Commandants who had been placed on the S.U.L. [Supernumerary Unemployed List] for some years and then recalled for duty.  One of these was unable to march.

On May 2nd the last evacuation ship to leave BHAMO was sent down.  The arrival of evacuees and stragglers with consequent rumours and stories caused a number of desertions in the bn, some of which were Indian but most from indigenous classes who wanted to go to their homes.  On the morning of May 3rd an officer in a lorry reached BHAMO and reported that he had been fired at and chased by Jap M.T. which had crossed the Shweli bridge and the Japs might be in BHAMO at any minute.  As far as can be ascertained the Commandant issued orders that all ranks were to get to INDIA in small groups in the best possible way they could.  Since then he and his senior Assistant Commandant have not been heard of.  The men themselves moved off in small detachments under GCOs and NCOs in different directions, some to the railway at MOGAUNG, others to MYITKYINA.

(e)    Myitkyina Bn.              Myitkyina Bn had been turned into a holding bn for the Frontier Force.  It contained men from all battalions of the Force, and part of the Rangoon Bn which had marched 500 miles to MEIKTILA fighting a considerable part of the way joined it shortly before the final evacuation came.  Nearly all the Indian families in the Frontier Force, totalling about 2,000 women and children with accompanying escorts had also been collected and at the end of April it had been found almost impossible to get them off as there was no transport of any description available for them.  At the beginning of May the families took matters into their own hands and began to move off, some to neighbouring Gurkha villages but the majority on foot to Assam.  On May 4th the bn had a Commandant[20] and one Assistant Commandant plus two officers of the Rangoon Bn[21] who were in charge of their own men; in addition the F.F. W/T group arrived with its own British Officers[22] and another brand new Assistant Commandant reported for duty on May 2nd.

The state of affairs in MYITKYINA itself was chaotic, large numbers of civilians had arrived hoping to fly away.  Hospital cases for air evacuation were also there.  Stragglers of the Frontier Force, M.P. and most of the regular and B.A.F. units in Burma were passing through the town while many fit civilians were also arriving to walk to India.

The Myitkyina Bn had placed two detachments on the east bank of the IRRAWADDY and had posts at SADON, SUMPRABUM and PUTAO.  From MYITKYINA itself desertions were taking place amongst locally enlisted Gurkhas and others and these were impossible to check.  A collecting post was established north of the town but did not function well.  On May 6th heavy air raids took place on the aerodrome and part of the town and the place evacuated the following day.

The W/T group marched out under its own officers and the balance of Bn HQ under the Commandant acted as a covering force to evacuees using the SUMPRABUM road.  En route to SUMPRABUM the Commandant broke a leg and had to be carried to PUTAO from where he was evacuated by plane.

The detachment of Kachins at SUMPRABUM was placed under the O.C. Levies, but the sight of masses of people moving to India proved too much for the men and they decided to go to their homes.  The post at SADON made its own way to India, the detachment at PUTAO was flown out with the Commandant.[23]

(f)    Reserve Bn.                 This, as its name implies, was the reserve to the Force but it also contained the W/T and M.T. centres as well as the Government Stud Farm and Remount Depot.  At the end of 1941 it had few reserves but was mainly engaged in training M.T. drivers for the Army.  The H.Q. of the Bn. was moved to SHWEBO in February and guards and escorts were found for a variety of L of C duties.  Many of them could not be contacted when the Bn marched out to India in April, most of them, however, got out by a variety of routes under their own NCOs.

(g)    Chin Hills Bn.              Used throughout the Chin Hills and is still functioning there.

(h)   B.M.P.             The Rangoon Battalions found garrisons at Headquarters of Districts along the coast line from VICTORIA POINT to AKYAB and in Burma up to a line drawn slightly north of TOUNGOO and PROME.  The H.Q. of the Bns was in RANGOON and from December to February the men went through a period of considerable strain due to the constant alerts which forced them to take cover in trenches and being called upon to assist in maintaining order in the city.  The posts in the Tenasserim Area withdrew as the Japanese advanced and most of the men came in to H.Q. in RANGOON.

The whole of the Military Police in RANGOON were ordered to march to PROME at the time the city was evacuated and although only in reality armed Police and very indifferently armed at that, combined with regular units on a number of occasions in beating off Japanese attacks.  At PROME a very active part was taken in the defence of the town and the whole force of M.P. eventually found itself alone with the Japanese on three sides.  The M.P. escaped northwards and once more joined up with the retreat to the north.  At ALLANMYO the M.P. split up into two parts.  Approximately half under the Comdt. of 1 Rangoon Bn remained with 17 Div and eventually withdrew up the CHINDWIN River, from where it marched to India.  The other part under B.C., 2 Rgn Bn,[24] marched to MEIKTILA and went by lorry and train to MYITKYINA.  Ten days after its arrival there the march to India began.[25]

The fate of all the posts in the Delta and Arakan areas is not known, as owing to the breakdown of the P.&T. as well as steamer services it was never possible to get any news through to them.  Some of the men joined at PROME, others got away over the ARAKAN YOMAS to the coast from where some reached India by sea.  Nothing, however, has been heard of many of the men in these Districts.  The two Rangoon Bns experienced great difficulty over transport and supplies as to begin with they were no one’s responsibility.

(i)     Mandalay Bn.              Had its H.Q. at MANDALAY and posts stretching from THAYETMYO to KATHA.  The task of the controlling these from H.Q. under active service conditions was therefore quite impossible.  H.Q. remained at MANDALAY and saw the town gradually destroyed by bombing attacks.  During these raids assistance of all descriptions had to be given and law and order maintained.  Escorts and guards at different points were also provided and when the time for withdrawal came numbers of these were lost and had to find their way out as best they could.  Many of the Burmans in the bn deserted but some remained faithful to their posts until the bn marched to India.[26]

(j)     F.Fs.     At the commencement of the war with Japan there were five F.Fs.  F.Fs. 1 to 4 were approximately the same strength as regular units.  F.F. 5 had only one coy.  F.F. 2 was stationed in MERGUI and TAVOY where it had a definite role to perform.  The others had their own particular tasks on the Siamese border in the Southern Shan States for which they were admirably fitted.

F.Fs 1, 3 4 and 5 remained on the Siam frontier up to mid February but were not used as much as they might have been.  F.Fs 4 and 5 had successful brushes with THAI troops and inflicted considerable casualties on them with little loss to themselves.  The arrival of Chinese troops in the Shan States in February brought about the transfer of all British troops into Burma and the F.Fs moved down with them.  In Burma itself they were used in a variety of ways, sometimes for the protection of aerodromes and on many other occasions in the role of regular troops, but in the latter they were severely handicapped by the shortage of British Officers and their lack of automatic weapons and mortars.

Many of these F.Fs did exceedingly good work in March during the withdrawal and suffered considerable casualties in officers.  During the very last stages of the operations in Burma it was proposed to reduce the size of all these F.Fs to two columns each as the larger ones were unwieldy; this proposal was only carried into effect in one or two cases.

5.         Conclusions.

(i)                 It appears reasonable to conclude that much of the B.F.F. was greatly misused in Burma.

In the first instance when 8th Burif was formed it was not possible to raise additional regular bns because the Force had not the officers to go with them and there was a general shortage of British Officers throughout Burma.  The decision to raise F.Fs with only a small establishment of automatic weapons and mortars was the best that could be made under the circumstances as weapons too were as scarce in Burma as British Officers.  The unsound point in forming these units was that they should function only in certain areas and should be equipped for their own particular tasks.  This greatly restricted their general usefulness and complications were caused by the scales of equipment which were different from those in the Army as well as varying among the F.Fs themselves.

Although the F.Fs had absorbed a very large proportion of the fit men in the Frontier Force, many of them had been hurriedly thrown together and had received very little training as units.  The training they had received and their deficiencies in armament as well as British Officers had not fitted them for use as front line or shock troops but on many occasions they found themselves used in this capacity against an enemy far better equipped and armed than themselves.  The fact too that they belonged to a different Force and were not in an ordinary Army establishment increased their difficulties.  In spite of all these handicaps there were many occasions on which these F.Fs did excellent work and most of the British Officers who were with them overcame language difficulties and lack of training in an amazing way. 

(ii)                In the Headquarters of several bns there was a great deal of disorganization when the retreat to MYITKYINA  and from there to India took place.  This was mainly due to the absence of British Officers and to the fact that Bn H.Qs contained practically no organized bodies of fighting troops with reasonable equipment but were made up of a very proportion of unfit men who had either been used continually on guard or escort duties or were employed as clerks, pioneers and on other sedentary duties.

(iii)              A factor which had a very considerable effect on the morale of the men in the B.F.F. was the large number of families still left in Burma at the end of April.  Families in RANGOON were got away by sea and those of two other bns were moved out by the TAMU route.  Those from TAUNGGYI, LASHIO and BHAMO were mostly moved to MYITKYINA and there were at least 1200 there at the end of April.

Many of the men on service had no idea where their families had gone, numbers of those who remained at different Bn H.Qs went off to ensure that their families got away safely.  It was therefore inevitable that men in this category could not give of their best on service.

Most of the families have made their way without any transport to India, many of them suffering casualties and sever hardships on the way.  There are large numbers of men now in India who have not heard of their wives and many wives who have lost their husbands.

(iv)              On arrival in India practically all the men were in a very indifferent state of health and numbers of them were suffering from mental strain caused by the privations they had undergone.  Many of them had covered enormous distances having to live as best they could on the way, and it was a common occurrence to find parties who had had nothing to eat for several days.

In addition, all ranks had lost the whole of their personal belongings,  large numbers had received no pay for some time and had lost savings invested in the Post Offices in Burma, all too had lost a good deal of their self respect due to the state of the only uniform they had in their possession.

These different factors were often not fully realized by those who had dealings with the men on their arrival in India.

Since reaching Hoshiarpur the behaviour of all ranks has been excellent and it is hoped that they will return from leave very much fitter than when they left for their homes.

The first necessity for the men on return from leave is to get fitted out with adequate clothing and equipment, and their accounts which are very confused must be settled.

It will then be possible to get all ranks fit and hard and trained as useful members of the Burma Army.[27]

Sd.  J. BOWERMAN,
Brigadier,
Inspector-General,
Burma Frontier Force.

 


[1] John Francis Bowerman, born 28th November 1893.  In ranks 187 days (temporary 2ndLt.), 26th January 1915 to 31st July 1916; temporary Lieutenant, 1st August 1918 to 28th November 1918).  Commissioned Lieutenant, Machine Gun Corps, 26th October 1916.  First World War, served Iraq, 18th September 1916 to 31st May 1917; wounded; Operations against  the Marris ( N.W. Frontier), 20th February 1918 to 25th March 1918.  Appointed Indian Army, 29th November 1918.  Promoted to Captain, 20th October 1919.  Served Afghanistan, N.W. Frontier 1919; Waziristan, 1920-21; Waziristan 1921-24.  Attached to 1st Battalion, 129th Duke of Connaught’s Own Baluchis (1921), later 10th Baluch Regiment.  Served N.W. Frontier of India, 1930-31.   Seconded to Burma from 26th January 1931, Burma Military Police.  Promoted to Major 20th October 1933.  Served Burma, 1930-32 (Saya San Rebellion).  Commandant, Myitkyina Battalion, Burma Frontier Force, 1937.  Inspector General, Burma Frontier Force, 1938 until 9 months leave until 22nd October 1938.  Commandant, Southern Shan States Battalion, Burma Frontier Force, 1938-1942.  Liaison Officer to Chinese 6th Army in the Southern Shan States, April 1942.  Assumed command of the Burma Frontier Force in Myitkyina on 4th May 1942.  Later, as Brigadier-General, C.O. 2nd Burma Brigade in India from 1st October 1942.  Commander, Fort Herz Area Headquarters, 22nd October 1943 until 14th May 1944, until evacuated by air to India with Typhus, flying out on 16th May 1944.  As temporary Brigadier, awarded C.B.E., 6th June 1946.  Died 18th December 1983 (British Army List; Indian Army List; “War Services of British and Indian Officers of the Indian Army 1941”, Savannah (2004); War Diary 14th Burma Rifles, WO 172/986 (War diary 14th Burma Rifles); IOR L/WS/1/1313; “Burma Frontier Force … 1939-1942” By Lt.Col H.M. Day, WO 203/5694; War diary of Fort Hertz Area, WO 172/2149 and WO 172/4485).

[3] From 1st April 1937, officers for the Burma Rifles, the BFF and the BMP were found by the secondment of British Service officers as well as Indian Army officers for a tour of four years, extensible to five.  All officers were placed at the disposal of the GOC Burma who decided the officer postings between the three forces (Burma Rifles, BFF and BMP).  Apart from British Regular officers, Governor's Commissioned Officers (GCOs), the equivalent in Burma of Viceroy's Commissioned Officers in India, served with the battalions of the Burma Rifles and the BFF.  Following the outbreak of war, additional officers were found by the appointment of officers from the Army in Burma Reserve of Officers (ABRO).

[4] The Kokine Battalion was approved initially by the Governor of Burma by a letter of 22nd July 1940.  The battalion was to defend the landing grounds at Akyab, Moulmein, Tavoy, Mergui, Victoria Point and Lashio.  Upon formation it was to consist of a Headquarters and Headquarters Company (at Rangoon), nine Landing Ground Companies, a Vickers Gun Company and one Training Company.  British Officers were authorised for the posts of Commandant and for three Assistant Commandants.  There seems to have been much toing and froing and further approvals and authorisation before the battalion was finally approved for formation during November 1940.  The battalion was reorganised in September 1941 (letter of 9th September  1941).   It then consisted of a Headquarters, nine Landing Ground Companies (including three Reserve Landing Ground Companies) and one Training Company.  A further reorganisation was authorised on 15th December 1941 when a mortar platoon was added to the Landing Ground Companies.  Additionally, the Vickers Gun Company previously provided by the Kokine Battalion was future to be provided by the Northern Shan States Battalion, BFF (IOR M/3/1064).

[5] The authorisation of the raising of the new battalion was reported in The Ottawa Journal of Wednesday, 13th November 1940 (“Burma Frontier Force … 1939-1942” By Lt.Col H.M. Day, WO 203/5694; www.newspapers.com).

[6] The 8th (Frontier Force) Battalion, The Burma Rifles was raised on 1st October 1940.  Reinforcements for 8th Battalion were found from and trained by the Burma Frontier Force.  With the formation of the 9th (Reserve) Battalion in July 1941, reinforcements passed directly from the Burma Frontier Force to the 9th Battalion for additional military training (War Diary 8th Burma Rifles, WO 172/980 (War diary 8th Burma Rifles); IOR/M/3/1213).

[7] The 7th (Burma Police) Battalion, The Burma Rifles was formed on 1st November 1940, at Mandalay, from a nucleus of men of the Burma Police and Burma Military Police, the battalion’s composition was Gurkha, Sikh, Punjabi Mussalmen and Burmese (“Indian Armed Forces in World War II, The Retreat from Burma 1941-42”; War Diary 7th Burma Rifles, WO 172/979 (War diary 7th Burma Rifles)).

[8] Burma Frontier Force units and deployments in the Southern Shan States in December 1941 were:

Aungban           Burma Frontier Force Satellite Aerodrome Guard
Heho                Burma Frontier Force Aerodrome Guard *           
Loilem              F.F.4, Burma Frontier Force                                           less one column
                        The Southern Shan States Battalion, Burma Frontier Force          outposts
Loimwe             F.F.3, Burma Frontier Force                                           less one column
                        The Southern Shan States Battalion, Burma Frontier Force          outposts
Mong Pan area  F.F.4, Burma Frontier Force                                           one column
Mawchi             F.F.5, Burma Frontier Force
Monghpayak     F.F.3, Burma Frontier Force                                           one column
Namsang          Burma Frontier Force Aerodrome Guard *                        guard detachments and columns
                        Burma Frontier Force Satellite Aerodrome Guard guard detachments and columns
                        Burma Frontier Force Mounted Infantry                           two troops
Taunggyi           Headquarters Southern Shan Area                                                         
                        HQ, The Southern Shan States Battalion, Burma Frontier Force
Thamakan         Burma Frontier Force Mounted Infantry                           one troop, one column

* Aerodrome Guards provided by companies of the 14th (Shan States) Battalion, The Burma Rifles, Burma Territorial Force.

(“Indian Armed Forces in World War II, The Retreat from Burma 1941-42”; War Diary 14th Burma Rifles, WO 172/986 (War diary 14th Burma Rifles))

[9] Burma Frontier Force units and deployments in Tenasserim in December 1941 were:

Maw Daung Pass          F.F.2, Burma Frontier Force      
Mergui                          F.F.2, Burma Frontier Force      
                                    The Kokine Battalion, Burma Frontier Force                    a detachment
                                    Burma Frontier Force Aerodrome Guard                         a detachment
Moulmein                      HQ, 2nd Burma Infantry Brigade
                                    Headquarters Tenasserim Area  
                                    The Kokine Battalion, Burma Frontier Force                    detachment
Tavoy                           The Kokine Battalion, Burma Frontier Force                    detachment
                                    Burma Frontier Force Aerodrome Guard                         a detachment
Thabawleik                    F.F.2, Burma Frontier Force
Victoria Point                The Kokine Battalion, Burma Frontier Force                    a platoon

 (“Indian Armed Forces in World War II, The Retreat from Burma 1941-42”)

[10] The Kokine Battalion Headquarters and reserves were located at Rangoon (“Burma Frontier Force … 1939-1942” By Lt.Col H.M. Day, WO 203/5694).

[11] The Commandant of the Kokine Battalion was Major R. Cook. 

Robert Cook, born, 11th November 1893.  As a Trooper, served with C Squadron, 1/2nd Surrey Yeomanry in the United Kingdom, Gallipoli, Egypt and the Western Front, 1914 to March 1905.  Served in ranks, 3 years, 245 days, mobilised with the Territorial Force from the Indian Army Reserve of Officers, 1914 to 28th  May 1918.  Served at Gallipoli, May 1915 to January 1916; Egypt, January 1916 to 18th  March 1916; France and Belgium, March 1916 to November 1917.  Commissioned as 2nd Lt., Indian Army Reserve of Officers, 29th May 1918.  Served with the 2nd Battalion, 8th Rajputs, 4th October 1918.  Served with the 2nd Battalion, 66th Punjabis in India and Mesopotamia, from 11th May 1919.  Promoted to Lieutenant, 29th May 1919.  Appointed to the Indian Army as 2nd Lt., 18th September 1919, with seniority from 1st March 1919.  Promoted to Lieutenant, 20th December 1919.  Served Waziristan, 1922-23.  Attached to the 15th Punjab Regiment, 20th January 1922.  R.T.O. (Regimental Training Officer), 6th November 1922 to 31st  March 1924.  Promoted to Captain, 20th December 1924.  Served with the Chin Hills Battalion, Burma Military Police, 1926 to April 1905.  Served Burma (Saya San Rebellion), 1930-32.  Served as Staff Captain, Indian Army, Rangoon Brigade Area, 12th July 1931 to 30th  June 1934.  Mentioned in Despatches for distinguished service in Burma, as Staff Captain, Rangoon Brigade Area, gazetted, 20th December 1932.  Promoted to Brevet Major, 1st July 1934.  Commandant, the Southern Shan States Battalion, Burma Frontier Force, 3rd July 1934 to 23rd May 1940.  Promoted to substantive Major, 20th December 1936.  As Major, appointed Commandant, the Kokine Battalion, Burma Frontier Force, 23rd May 1940 (battalion may not have formed until November 1940).  Probably evacuated from Rangoon with Indian elements of the Kokine Battalion, BFF, and F.F.7, March 1942.  Described as Lt. Colonel, Rangoon Battalion, Burma Military Police, in command of a camp at Elephant Falls, near Shillong, India,  including a detachment of the Burma Military Police commanded by Lt. Colonel Cook and described as a part of the combined Rangoon Battalion.  This part had been evacuated from Rangoon by sea to India., March 1942.  Commanding Officer of the 2nd Garrison Battalion from May 1942.  As Major, commanded a Burma Intelligence Corps platoon as part of the 2nd Chindits Operation, 1944.  Attached to the 3rd/9th Gurkha Rifles [to be confirmed], 13th March 1944.  Commander, Chittagong Advance Base, 1944?  Died, 1st January 1984.

("War Services of British and Indian Officers of the Indian Army 1941", Savannah (2004); Ancestry.co.uk; “Distinctly I Remember”, H. Braund, Wren (1972); British Army List; Indian Army List; Indian Army List 1921; IOR L/WS/1/1313; “Burma Frontier Force … 1939-1942” By Lt.Col H.M. Day, WO 203/5694; IWM Interview, IWM Collections).

[12] The strength of the Kokine Battalion in Rangoon in February-March 1942 is described as “one Company” (Indian Armed Forces in World War II, The Retreat from Burma 1941-42).

[13] It seems at least one element of the Kokine Battalion, BFF, remained on duty, guarding the satellite landing ground one mile North of Kyungon, North of Toungoo.  The company was commanded by Captain D.K. Milligan (“Burma Frontier Force; Short History of F.F.3” by Major J.H. Turner, WO 203/5702).

David Kennedy Milligan born, 1917.  Sailed to Rangoon from Liverpool on S.S. "Prome", profession listed as Burma Forest Service, 7th October 1939.  Commissioned to the General List from Cadet at OCTU as 2nd Lt. (189612), 28th April 1941.  Promoted war substantive Lieutenant; promoted temporary Captain, 14th March 1942.  As Captain, commanded a company of the Kokine Battalion, Burma Frontier Force, guarding the satellite airfield one mile North of Kyungon, North of Toungoo, 16th March 1942.  Second-in-Command of F.F.9, Burma Frontier Force, April-May 1942.  As temporary Major, served with the Chin Hills Levies, September 1942 to 9th November 1943.  Died on "the withdrawal from Falam", possibly buried by the Japanese near Mangkheng, near Falam, 9th November 1943.  "Sadly burned alive by the Japanese in Burma" whilst a POW in an unknown POW camp, 9th November 1943.  As Major, Indian Army Unattached List, died in Burma, 9th November 1943.  From a memorial in Dunscore Churchyard, Dumfriesshire; "Major, Burma Frontier Force, Younger son of Fergus Milligan of Merkland.  Killed in Action in Burma 9th Nov. 1943, aged 28 years.", 9th November 1943 ("Distinctly I Remember", H. Braund, Wren (1972); British Army List; Burma Frontier Force; Short History of F.F.3 by Major J.H. Turner, WO 203/5702; Scott papers; CWGC; FindMyPast; Dunscore Parsih Gravestones; Rhodesian Services; London Gazette).

[14] The Indian elements of the Kokine Battalion, BFF, which at that time included a number of Indian personnel withdrawn from landing grounds in Tenasserim, together with Headquarters and records of the battalion, were evacuated by sea to India from Rangoon before the final withdrawal from the city took place on 7th March 1942, together with F.F.7.  On arrival in India, the two units, less the Chins of F.F.7 who left to join the Chin Levies, were amalgamated to form a reorganised Kokine Battalion which was then sent to Assam to perform garrison battalion and internal security duties.  It was reported as continuing in this role in Assam in October and in December 1942.  It was subsequently reformed into the 2nd Garrison Battalion, The Burma Regiment, in January 1943.  The Burmese elements of the Kokine Battalion, around one third of the total strength, withdrew from Rangoon with the Army by way of Tharrawaddy, Prome, Magwe, Meiktila and eventually faded away as the men deserted or were discharged to return to their families (IOR L/WS/1/1313; “Burma Frontier Force … 1939-1942” By Lt.Col H.M. Day, WO 203/5694).

[15] The 14th Battalion, Burma Rifles were located in Taunggyi at the time of the evacuation of the town and this battalion’s war diary contains some details of the withdrawal of the Southern Shan States Battalion, BFF.  On around 16th April 1942, the 14th Burma Rifles and the Southern Shan States (S.S.S.) Battalion, BFF located at Taunggyi were detailed as “Rear Party” and were to remain in Taunggyi until the Chinese withdrawal reached the line just south of the Taunggyi-Hopong road.  At this point the Rear Party was to withdraw to Hsipaw and Lashio via Shwenyaung and Lawksawk.  The next day, Lt. Colonel H.C. Brocklehurst, Commander of No.2 Special Service Detachment, was placed in command of the Taunggyi Rear Party and at 2000 hours, 20th April 1942, ordered its withdrawal from Taunggyi.  The party  marched through Lawksawk and Indaw to reach Naungo village on 29th April where the next day a S.S.S.Battalion Mounted Infantry patrol was sent forward to gather information.  The patrol was ambushed by the Japanese at Namlan however the survivors were told by local villagers that the Japanese had occupied Hsipaw and Lashio.  All troops under Taunggyi Rear Party were ordered to rendezvous about 5 miles South of Namtu where the party was split into smaller groups, the better to evade the Japanese.  The groups formed were:
- No.2 Special Service Detachment with about three British Officers and 20 British Other ranks under Lt. Colonel Brocklehurst
- 14th Burma Rifles with about 70 Burma Army Other Ranks plus 30 Gurkhas from the S.S.S.Battalion, under Lt. Colonel J.D. Tucker
- One party of around 100 Indian Other Ranks of the S.S.S. Battalion under Captain Hutchinson
- A second S.S.S. Battalion party of around 100 Indian Other Ranks under Captain Prentice.

These parties then proceeded independently.  On 2nd May, the 14th Burma Rifles encountered six members of the S.S.S. Battalion Mounted Infantry patrol ambushed at Namlan on 30th April.  These men stayed with the 14th Burma Rifles until 8th May until the party split once again.   However this party of six was ambushed again at Sin and all but two taken prisoner.  These two made contact with the 14th Burma Rifles party on 15th May and one of the men stayed with this group to reach India, the other joining a party led by Mr G.E. Turnbull of the Burma Frontier Service (War Diary 14th Burma Rifles, WO 172/986 (War diary 14th Burma Rifles)).

Henry Courtney Brocklehurst, born 27th May 1888, Swythamley, Staffordshire.  Commissioned 10th Hussars.  Royal Flying Corps, 1916-1918.  Game warden of the Sudan.  On the Special List (April 1942), as temporary Lt.Colonel, 1st December 1940.  From late 1941, C.O. of 2nd Special Service Detachment, initially based at the Bush Warfare School, Maymyo.  Brocklehurst drowned in late June whilst fording a river.  Date of death is given as 28th June 1942 by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (Commando Veterans Forum).

John Darley Tucker, born, 21st December 1897.  Commissioned into the Gloucestershire Regiment, 2nd Lt., 16th August 1916.  Appointed Indian Army as 2nd Lt. (AI 14), 16th August 1916, with seniority from 25th February 1918.  Served France, November 1916 to April 1917.  Promoted Lieutenant, 16th August 1917, with seniority from 25th February 1918.  Promoted Lieutenant, 16th February 1918.  Acting Captain, 23rd April 1918 to 2nd September 1919.  Served Iraq, wounded, August 1920 to December 1920.  Promoted to Captain, 16th August 1920.  As Lieutenant, attached 3rd Battalion, 70th Burma Rifles, 1921.  Served with the 20th Burma Rifles from formation, 10th February 1922.  Indian Staff College, 24th August 1923 to 31st January 1928.  Instructor Army Signal School, 24th August 1923 to August 1925.  Served Burma (Saya San Rebellion), 1930-32.  Promoted to Major, 16th August 1934.  Adjutant, Auxiliary Force India, 26th February 1935.  Served with the 3rd Battalion, The Burma Rifles, April 1939.  As Major, served with 6th Battalion, The Burma Rifles, to January 1942.  Possibly attached to the 3rd Battalion, The Burma Rifles for a few days after the fall of Tavoy, 20th January 1942.  As Lt. Colonel, Commanding Officer, the 14th (Shan States) Battalion, The Burma Rifles, January 1942.  As Major, served with 6th Battalion, The Burma Rifles, to January 1942.  Possibly attached to the 3rd Battalion, The Burma Rifles for a few days after the fall of Tavoy, 20th January 1942.  Promoted to Lt. Colonel, 16th August 1942.  Retired, 19th March 1948 ("War Services of British and Indian Officers of the Indian Army 1941", Savannah (2004); British Army List; Indian Army List; London Gazette; War Diary 3rd Burma Rifles, WO 172/976 (War diary 3rd Burma Rifles); War Diary 14th Burma Rifles, WO 172/986 (War diary 14th Burma Rifles)).

Thomas Coulter Hutchinson, born, 27th November 1913.  Before joining the Army, was a "Rangoon banker", 1941.  Commissioned to the General List from O.C.T.U. as 2nd Lt. (189600), 28th April 1941.  Posted to the Northern Shan States Battalion at Lashio, 5th May 1941.  Temporary Major, 15th June 1941.  As Captain, Southern Shan States Battalion, Burma Frontier Force, on the withdrawal from Taunggyi as part of Taunggyi Rear Party.  Took command of a SSS Battalion party for the trek to India, 30th April 1942.  War substantive Captain, 15th June 1944.  After the war appears to have returned to banking in the Far East, 1945 ("Distinctly I Remember", H. Braund, Wren (1972); British Army List; FindMyPast; London Gazette; War Diary 14th Burma Rifles, WO 172/986 (War diary 14th Burma Rifles)).

Alan Sharp Prentice, born, 1910.  Travelled to Rangoon aboard SS "Pegu", occupation "Clerk", leaving Birkenhead, 18th April 1935.  Joined the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company, 1935.  Travelled to Rangoon, aboard SS "Salween", leaving Glasgow, 26th July 1940.  Commissioned from OCTU Cadet to the General List as 2nd Lt. (217681), 26th October 1941.  Officer Commanding Heho Aerodrome Guard, Southern Shan States Battalion, B.F.F., 1942.  War substantive Lieutenant, 14th March 1942.  Part of the Southern Shan States Battalion, Burma Frontier Force detachment forming part of Taunggyi Rear Party on the withdrawal from Taungyyi.  Led a detachment of around 100 men to India, a journey of around 750 miles.  Served with the Kachin Levies, out of Fort Herz, 1942 to 1944.  Temporary Captain, 30th November 1942.  First post-war Agent of the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company at Mandalay, 31st August 1945.  As Mercantile Assistant, Irrawaddy Flotilla Company, resident in Mandalay, married Brenda Ruth Houston, Rangoon.  Travelled from Rangoon to Glasgow, aboard SS "Prome" with wife.  Occupation "Irrawaddy Flotilla Company", 1st June 1947.  Left the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company upon nationalisation, 1948.  Managing Director of the road transport subsidiary of the Colonial Development Corporation, Tanganyika, 1949 to 1951.  Returned to the United Kingdom, 1952.  Worked for Stonegate Farmers, United Kingdom, 1952 to 1973 (Anglo-Burmese Library;"Tales of Burma", A. McCrae, James Paton (1981); "Scots in Burma", A. McCrae; Ancestry.co.uk; British Army List; FindMyPast; London Gazette).

[16] The Southern Shan States Battalion, BFF, described as the “Taunggyi Battalion”, was reported as being located at Hoshiarpur in September 1942.  Hoshiarpur had become the main base for collecting and reorganising Burma Army in India (IOR L/WS/1/1313).

[17] The Battalion Commandant, Northern Shan States Battalion, B.F.F. was Lt.Colonel J.R.K. Wallace.

James Rupert Kenneth Wallace, born 22nd January 1898.  Commissioned 10th November 1916, Indian Army Reserve of Officers, seniority from 10th August 1917.  Appointed to the Indian Army 24th October 1918.  Promoted to Lieutenant, 10th August 1918, attached 98th Infantry, became 19th Hyderabad Regiment from 1922.  Served  Mahsuds,  6th June 1917 to 10th August 1917; Iraq, 29th September 1917to 31st August 1918; Salonika, 1918; Black Sea, 1920, wounded, Mentioned in despatches, gazetted 11th December 1920.  Awarded the Military Cross whilst serving as Lieutenant (acting Captain) with 95th Russell’s Infantry during the action at Sultan Chift on 5th July 1920 in the Turkish War of Independence, gazetted 28th October 1920.  Served Waziristan, 1921-24.  Served with the 19th Hyderabad Regiment until 13th June 1935, then General duty 14th June 1935 to 27th August 1935.  Promoted to Major, 5th July 1935.  Appointed to the Supplementary List, 28th August 1935.  Appointed M.E.O., Army in Burma, 24th May 1935.  Appointed Inspecting Officer Military Lands and Cantonments, Army in Burma, (18th June 1934, 1st April 1937, appointed 21st October 1937).  As Commandant, Northern Shan States Battalion, B.F.F., died 3rd May 1942.  According to a Japanese account, he may have been killed by Indian soldiers (British Army List; Indian Army List; “War Services of British and Indian Officers of the Indian Army 1941”, Savannah (2004); “Burma 1942, The Japanese Invasion”, I.L. Grant, K. Tamayama, Zampi (1999)).

[18] “The Shweli river was bridged at Manwing, the bridge being held by the Northern Shan States Battalion, Burma Frontier Force.  This battalion had been stationed at Lashio until the evacuation of that place.  The necessary preparations for the demolitions were made, but no officer trained in demolitions remained at the bridge.  On 3 May the Japanese advanced in a column of lorries with machine-guns mounted on the vehicles.  The covering troops were rushed, the fuses of the demolition charges were damp and would not ignite and the bridge was lost.  Further demolitions along the road had not been carried out and the Japanese went on to Bhamo.” (Indian Armed Forces in World War II, The Retreat from Burma 1941-42).

[19] Rupert Montague Jacob, born 31st July, 1886.  Commissioned from Cadet to the Unattached List as 2ndLt., 23rd January 1906.  Appointed to Indian Army, 17th March 1907.  Promoted to Lieutenant, 24th April 1908, 124th Baluchis.  Promoted to Captain, 24th January 1915, 130th Baluchis.  Awarded the Military Cross, gazetted 1st February 1917.  Staff Captain until 23rd February 1917.  Mentioned in Despatches, 6th August 1918.  As Captain, temporary Major, promoted to Brevet Major, 11th February, 1919.  As Brevet Major, 130th Baluchis, relinquished appointment as D.A.A.G., 19th February 1919.  Promoted to Major, 24th January 1921.  As Major, serving with the Chin Hills Battalion, Burma Military Police in 1924.  Promoted Lt. Colonel, 24th January 1932.  Burma Police, 1933.  As Lt. Colonel, whilst serving with the Burma Military Police, awarded the King’s Police Medal for distinguished service, gazetted 7th January 1936.  In July 1937 was Commandant of the Bhamo Battalion, BFF at Bhamo.  Retired 25th January 1938.  Recalled for duty and, as Commandant, Bhamo Battalion, BFF, died 6th June 1942, “murdered by a Sikh orderly, recorded on the Rangoon Memorial (London Gazette; Indian Army List; FindMyPast; Mss Eur E250/(133) ; “War Services of British and Indian Officers of the Indian Army 1941”, Savannah (2004); Commonwealth War Graves Commission; BACSA).

[20] The Commandant of the Myitkyina Battalion, BFF, was Major Harvey Godwin Patterson Stubbs, born, 1893.  Served Egypt, 1914.  Mobilised, Indian Army Reserve of Officers, 1 year and 222 days, 25th August 1916 to 3rd April 1918.  Served Iraq, 7th April 1917 to 4th  October 1918.  Attached to the 24th Punjabis, 1918 to 1st  January 1922.  Commissioned from Indian Army Reserve of Officers as 2nd Lt. and appointed to the Indian Army (589 AI), 4th April 1918, with seniority from 25th May 1917.  Served as acting Captain, 25th May 1918 to 3rd  October 1920.  Promoted to Lieutenant, 25th May 1918.  Served Salonica, 5th October 1918 to 30th  April 1919.  Served Black Sea, 1st May 1919 to 31st  August 1920.  Served Waziristan, 1921.  Promoted to Captain, 10th May 1921.  Attached to the 14th Punjab Regiment from formation, 1922.  Mentioned in Despatches, gazetted, 12th June 1923.  Assistant Commandant, the Chin Hills Battalion, Burma Military Police, in September 1927.  Served Burma (Saya San Rebellion), 1930-32.  Assistant Commandant, Burma Military Police, 1933.  Promoted to Major, 10th May 1935.  Seconded to the Burma Defence Force, 4th February 1937.  Assistant Commandant, Myitkyina Battalion, Burma Frontier Force, 1938 to April 1938?.  Assistant Commandant, Burma Military Police, July 1938.  Assistant Commandant, Myitkyina Battalion, Burma Frontier Force, October 1938 to January 1938?.  Commandant, Bhamo Battalion, Burma Frontier Force, 1939 to 1941.  Commandant, Myitkyina Battalion, Burma Frontier Force, 1942.  Acting Lt.Colonel, 1st April 1942.  Following the withdrawal from Myitkyina, while the Myitkyina Battalion, BFF was acting as a covering force to evacuees using the Sumprabum road, en route to Sumprabum, broke a leg and had to be carried to Putao from where he was evacuated by plane, May 1942.  Promoted to Lt. Colonel, 10th May 1943.  As Lt. Colonel, listed as under "Military Employ", Burma Army, April 1946.  As Lt. Colonel, retired, 20th March 1947.  Died after helping a mother and child away from their burning flat, Hampstead, London, 4th December 1957 ("War Services of British and Indian Officers of the Indian Army 1941", Savannah (2004); British Army List; Indian Army List 1921; “History of the Chin Hills Battalion Military Police”, MSS Eur E250?, British Library Catalogues; India Office List 1933; Indian Army List; Indian Army List 1921; London Gazette; “Sir George Gillan (1958) In memoriam”, Journal of The Royal Central Asian Society, 45:2, 110-114, DOI: 10.1080/03068375808731631; WO 203/5692).

[21] The Rangoon Battalion(s), Burma Military Police.  According to an account written by Major Hereward Chappell, Commandant of the 2nd Rangoon Battalion, BMP, all officers and men of both Rangoon Battalions reached Myitkyina by 24th April 1942.  The combined strength of the BMP at Myitkyina was then three British officers and 728 men.  On 1st May the BMP at Myitkyina were transferred to the Myitkyina Battalion, Burma Frontier Force.  Major Malcolm Douglas Hindle went to this battalion, Major A. Smith went to the Bhamo Battalion, BFF and Major Chappell to the BFF (“Report of BMP by Major H Chappell, 2nd Rangoon Battalion, BMP” – WO 203/5693 (“Report of BMP by Major H Chappell, 2nd Rangoon Battalion, BMP” – WO 203/5693 )).

Hereward Chappell born, 21st April 1898.  Educated Wyggeston School, Leicester.  Enrolled as Cadet in the Saugor Military Academy, India, 1916.  Commissioned as 2nd Lt. to the Unattached List, 18th April 1916.  Appointed as 2nd Lt. (AI 847) to the Indian Army, 39th Royal Garhwal Rifles (18th Royal Garhwal Rifles from 1921), 27th April 1916.  Served Iraq, 20th March 1917 to 28th September 1918.  Served Salonika and Turkey, 25th October 1918 to 11th November 1918.  Served Waziristan, 1919-21.  Mentioned in Despatches, gazetted, 5th June 1919.  Promoted to Captain, 18th April 1920.  Inspector of Messes, Waziristan Force, 17th May 1922 to 2nd October 1922.  Staff Captain, 5th December 1923 to 24th February 1924.  Served North-West Frontier of India, 1930.  Served Burma (Saya San Rebellion), 1930-32.  Seconded to and served as Assistant Commandant with the Burma Military Police from 7th August 1931.  Promoted to Major, 18th April 1934.  Transferred to the Special Unemployed List, Indian Army, 1st November 1935.  Officiating Commandant, Northern Shan States Battalion, Burma Frontier Force, 1937.  Commandant, 2nd Rangoon Battalion, Burma Military Police, 1938 to May 1942.  Commanding Officer, the 4th Battalion, The Burma Regiment, early/mid-1943 to September 1943.  Joined the 2nd Battalion, The Burma Regiment, 1943.  Commanding Officer, the 2nd Battalion, The Burma Regiment, 20th August 1945.  Promoted from Major (temporary Lt. Colonel) to Lt. Colonel, 18th February 1946.  Retired, 6th June 1948.  As substantive Lt. Colonel, Officer Commanding the 2nd Battalion, The Burma Regiment, awarded O.B.E., 12th June 1947, gazetted, 20th August 1948.  Died, 28th December 1978 ("War Services of British and Indian Officers of the Indian Army 1941", Savannah (2004); British Army List; Indian Army List; London Gazette; Private Papers of Lt. Col. I.C.G. Scott (IWM); WO 373/82/281).

Malcolm Douglas Hindle, born 7th September 1899.  Commissioned from Cadet, Quetta College, to the Unattached List as 2ndLt. (956IA), 31st August 1918.  Appointed as 2ndLt. to the Indian Army, 14th September 1918.  Promoted to Lieutenant, 31st August 1919.  Attached to the 35th Sikhs. Served with 1st Battalion, 23rd Sikh Pioneers (becoming 3rd Sikh Pioneers from 1922).  Served Black Sea, 1919-20.  Provisional promotion to Captain, 31st August 1923; confirmed, gazetted 26th September 1924.   Served Waziristan, 1921-24, while serving with the 1st Battalion, 3rd Sikh Pioneers, as Captain, Mentioned in Despatches, gazetted 18th November 1924.  Appointed to 20th Burma Rifles, 6th February 1933.  Promoted to Major, 31st August 1936.  Appointed to the Special Unemployed List, Indian Army, 1st November 1937.  Burma Military Police, 1942.  Promoted to Lt. Colonel (IA 489), 2nd February 1947 (London Gazette; British Army List; Indian Army List;“War Services of British and Indian Officers of the Indian Army 1941”, Savannah (2004); “Report of BMP by Major H Chappell, 2nd Rangoon Battalion, BMP” WO 203/5693 (“Report of BMP by Major H Chappell, 2nd Rangoon Battalion, BMP” – WO 203/5693 )).

Andrew Smith born, 6th February 1901.  Commissioned as 2nd Lt. to the Unattached List, 24th December 1920.  Served as Platoon Commander, attached to the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Irish Regiment, 4th April 1921 to 29th March 1922.  Served as a Company Officer, the 79th Carnatic Infantry, 30th March 1922 to 11th November 1923.  Appointed to the Indian Army (AI 983), attached to the 79th Carnatic Infantry (from 1923 the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Madras Regiment), 4th April 1922.  Served as a Company Officer, attached to the 10th Battalion, 3rd Madras Regiment, 21st November 1923 to 20th January 1924.  Served as Company Officer, the 1st Battalion, 20th Burma Rifles, 21st January 1924 to 14th March 1928.  Served as Quartermaster, the 1st Battalion, 20th Burma Rifles, 15th March 1928 to 31st December 1930.  Served as Quartermaster, the 1st Battalion, 20th Burma Rifles, Taiping, 1st January 1931 to 13th June 1931.  Served as Officiating Company Commander, the 10th Battalion, 20th Burma Rifles, 14th June 1931 to 2nd November 1931.  Served as Officiating Quartermaster, the 10th Battalion, 20th Burma Rifles, 3rd November 1931 to 31st December 1931.  Served as Company Commander, the 10th Battalion, 20th Burma Rifles, 1st January 1932 to 23rd January 1932.  Served as Quartermaster, the 1st Battalion, 20th Burma Rifles, Taiping, 24th January 1932 to 31st December 1932.  Promoted to Captain, 25th October 1932.  Served with the 1st Battalion, 20th Burma Rifles, 1st January 1933 to 31st October 1935.  Transferred to the Special Unemployed List, with effect from 1st November 1935.  Arrived from the United Kingdom at Shillong, India for duty with the Regimental Centre, 10th Gurkha Rifles., 2nd October 1939.  Captain, Special Unemployed List, attached The Burma Rifles, April 1940.  Appointed to the Burma Defence Force, 1st November 1940.  As Major, Assistant Commandant, the 2nd Rangoon Battalion, Burma Military Police, January 1941 to May 1942.  Promoted to Major, 26th October 1941.  As Major, the Bhamo Battalion, Burma Frontier Force, May 1942.  Appointed as Second-in-Command to the Kokine Garrison Battalion, Burma Frontier Force, 19th September 1942.  Major, Special Unemployed List, attached The Burma Rifles, 14th January 1943.  Major, Military Employ, attached The Burma Rifles, 1943-44.  Appointed Officiating Commandant, the 26th Garrison Battalion, Burma Regiment, and granted rank of acting Lt. Colonel, 8th March 1945.  Appointed temporary Lt. Colonel with effect from 8th July 1945.  Relinquished post of Officiating Commandant, the 26th Garrison Battalion, Burma Regiment, 2nd August 1945.  Reassumed appointment of Officiating Commandant, the 26th Garrison Battalion, Burma Regiment, and granted rank of temporary Lt. Colonel, 6th September 1945.  Proceeded on leave to the United Kingdom, 16th November 1945.  Reassumed appointment of Officiating Commandant, the 26th Garrison Battalion, Burma Regiment, 11th February 1946.  Commander No.5 H & E Centre, 18th May 1946 to 31st January 1946.  Major (acting Lt. Colonel), Military Employ, Special Unemployed List, 1946.  Posted to the Burma Regimental Centre, 1st February 1947.  Posted as Records Officer, Burma Regimental Centre, 1st February 1947.  Appointed as Records Officer, Burma Regimental Centre, 30th April 1947.  As Major (AI 983) granted the honorary rank of Lt. Colonel on reverting to the Special Unemployed List, 5th April 1948  (Burma Army List; Burma Defence Services List July 1941; Indian Army List; Indian Army List 1921; Indian Army List April 1940; Indian Army List April 1943; Indian Army List October 1943; Indian Army List April 1944; Indian Army List October 1944; Indian Army List October 1946; IOR/L/MIL/14/2729; London Gazette; War Diary of the Kokine Garrison Battalion, WO 172/691; “Report of Burma Military Police” by Major H. Chappell, WO 203/5693).

[22] The Frontier Force wireless group was probably led at this time by Major Maurice Chesterton Bennett, born 5th January 1896.  Served in the ranks, mobilised with the Territorial Force to 29th May 1917, 2 years, 270 days; a further 274 days to 27th February 1918.  Served France & Belgium, 9th March 1915 to 22nd September 1916, wounded.  Mentioned in despatches, gazetted 5th June 1919.  Appointed to the Indian Army as 2ndLt., 28th February 1918.  Promoted to Lieutenant, 28th February 1919.  Promoted to Captain, 13th February 1923.  Captain in the Hereford Regiment, Territorial Army, from the Active List, 9th May 1923.  Served with the Royal Signals from 23rd October 1926 to 25th January 1929.  Appointed to the Royal Signals as Captain, 26th January 1929, dated from 13th February 1923.  Promoted to Major, 1st August 1938.  On the Special Employed List from 12th February 1936, seconded as Inspector of Wireless, Burma Military Police.  From 1938, Assistant Commandant and Inspector of Wireless, Reserve Battalion, Burma Frontier Force at Pyawbwe.  Awarded C.B.E., gazetted 1st January 1941.  As Major (40482) placed on the half pay list on account of disability, 9th February 1945, granted honorary rank of Lt. Colonel (Indian Army List; British Army List; London Gazette).

[23] The “Myitkyina” Battalion, BFF was reported as being located at Hoshiarpur in September 1942.  Hoshiarpur had become the main base for collecting and reorganising Burma Army in India (IOR L/WS/1/1313).

[24] Major H. Chappell, see above.

[25] See also “Report of BMP by Major H Chappell, 2nd Rangoon Battalion, BMP” WO 203/5693 (“Report of BMP by Major H Chappell, 2nd Rangoon Battalion, BMP” – WO 203/5693 ).

[26] The Commandant of the Mandalay Battalion, BMP was Alexander William Learmond, born, 7th March 1891.  Commissioned as 2ndLt., IARO, 30th April 1915.  Attached to 55th Coke's Rifles from, 23rd June 1915.  Attached to 51st Sikhs from, 7th January 1916.  Iraq, 24th January 1916 to 14th  April 1916, wounded.  Served Afghanistan, N.W. Frontier, 1919.  Served as Staff Captain, 10th October 1919 to 30th  September 1921.  Promoted to Captain, 30th January 1920.  Appointed to the Indian Army from the IARO as Captain, 30th March 1920.  Attached to 17th Dogra Regiment, 1st October 1921 to 5th  March 1937.  Served Waziristan, 1922-23.  Served Burma, 1930-32 (Saya San Rebellion), 1930-32, Mentioned in Despatches, gazetted, 20th December 1932.  Promoted to Major, 29th January 1934.  Served North West Frontier, 1936-37, 1936-3, Mentioned in Despatches, gazetted, 18th February 1938.  Seconded to Burma Military Police, Commandant Mandalay Battalion, Burma Military Police, from 6th March 1937.  Awarded the King's Police Medal for Distinguished Service, 1st January 1941.  Promoted to Lt. Colonel, 29th January 1942.  As Lt. Colonel, attached Burma Military Police, Mentioned in Despatches, gazetted, 28th October 1942.  Died, 27th September 1971 ("War Services of British and Indian Officers of the Indian Army 1941", Savannah (2004); British Army List; Indian Army List; Indian Army List 1921; London Gazette; www.findagrave.com).

[27] The Inspector-General, Brigadier Bowerman, who assumed command of the Force in Myitkyina on 4th May 1942, accompanied by the senior Staff Officer, Burma Frontier Force, Major (temporary Lt. Colonel) H.M. Day, came to India by the Hukawng Valley route.  On arrival in Assam they were immediately flown to G.H.Q. India in Delhi, to obtain orders as to the future of the Frontier Force and Military Police.  The B.M.P. had been placed under the control of the Inspector-General, B.F.F. in April 1942.  Orders were received that all members of both Forces were to be sent to Hoshiarpur, Punjab, where a Reception Depot was to be formed.  From 15th June 1942 drafts began arriving at Hoshiarpur where a Force Headquarters and Headquarters of each Battalion were opened.  As they arrived the men were registered, given advances of pay, replacement clothing and sent to their homes on war leave.  During the period June to December 1942 approximately 10,000 all ranks passed through Hoshiarpur.  On return from leave, the men were sorted out and medically graded.  Those found suitable for further service were eventually drafted to Battalions of the Burma Regiment which was formed from B.F.F. and B.M.P. personnel on 1st October 1942.  Considerable difficulty was experienced during this period of reorganisation owing to very few senior British Officers being present, to the large amount of sickness among both officers and men and to the difficulty in obtaining arms and equipment with which to begin training.  Initially six infantry battalions were raised, with a mounted infantry and a training battalion also planned, all organised into two administrative brigades (WO 203 5694; IOR L/WS/1/1313).

Horace Melville Day, born, 27th January 1899.  Commissioned as 2nd Lt. to the Unattached List, 31st August 1918.  Appointed to the Indian Army as 2nd. Lt (IA 977), 5th September 1918.  Promoted to Lieutenant, 31st August 1919.  Attached to the 5th Cavalry, (1921).  Promoted to Captain, 31st August 1923.  Attached to the 7th Rajput Regiment from 1923?.  Promoted to Major, 31st August 1936.  Seconded to the Burma Defence Force, Burma Military Police, 14th September 1936.  Assistant Commandant, 2nd Rangoon Battalion, Burma Military Police, 1937 to 1937.  Commandant, the Bhamo Battalion, Burma Frontier Force at Bhamo, 1938 to early 1939.  On leave from April 1939 to 3rd October 1939.  Commandant and Staff Officer (later Senior Staff Officer), Burma Frontier Force, Rangoon, late 1939 to June 1942.  Temporary Lt.Colonel, 1943.  Assistant Adjutant-General, Directorate of Recruiting, India, from 31st May 1944.  Promoted to Lt. Colonel, 31st August 1944.  As Lt. Colonel, retired, 23rd January 1948 (British Army List; Indian Army List; Indian Army List 1921; London Gazette).