Sir Reginald Dorman-Smith was appointed Governor in 1946, but British Prime Minister Attlee, advised by The 1st Viscount Mountbatten of Burma, soon decided that Rance should replace him.

Dorman-Smith's imprisonment of a popular nationalist leader, Aung San, had provoked anger and the threat of rebellion against the British, while Rance had a more conciliatory approach.

British policy started to move away from an attempt at a slow, gradual transition to independence, and it was decided that Rance should co-operate with Aung San and his Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League.

British hopes of a smooth handover of power allowing the UK to retain some influence were threatened when Aung San was assassinated in July 1947.

[10] In a formal ceremony on 4 January 1948, Governor Rance handed over to Sao Shwe Thaik, 1st President of Burma, while Nu continued as Prime Minister.