Burma Rifles

The expansion of the British Indian Army during World War I led to the raising of two companies of Burma Pioneers in Mandalay in November 1916.

[2] According to John Gaylor in his history: Sons of John Company – The Indian & Pakistan Armies 1903–1991, the 3/70th Burma Rifles, raised in April 1918, went to Southern India to suppress the Moplah Rising whilst the 4/70th, raised in May 1918, remained in Burma.

Reorganised as a conventional infantry battalion of four companies, the 2nd Burma Rifles was based at Hshiarpur in India, where it remained until August 1945.

It was listed in September 1945 as being as part of an internal security and administration static command in the South Burma District.

In January 1946 the battalion was transferred to Syriam and in May 1947 formed part of a force involved in operations against dacoits.

[5][verification needed] On 4 January 1948 Burma became independent and the Burma Rifles was absorbed into the new Myanmar Army, which unlike its Indian and Pakistani counterparts did not retain the regimental structure and most traditions of the former Indian Army.

Carman describes a full dress uniform in the same colours, noting that it was worn by officers and other ranks forming part of the Coronation Contingent of 1937.

Enlisted stripes & crowns: black embroidered onto rifle green worsted (after the traditions of the 95th Rifles/Rifle Brigade).

This unusual mix was noted and verified by photographs in Major Hogan's collection.