2nd Burma Rifles

[1] On 1st January 1942,  the 2nd Burma Rifles were located at Mergui, in Tenasserim.

[2] C.G. Booker

[3] Sgt. Mitchell cannot be identified.

[4] S.S. Heinrich Jensen, a Danish merchant steamer.. Served in Hong Kong as a tender for naval motor launches, escaped capture when Hong Kong fell in December 1941.  Escaped Singapore, reportedly the last ship to do so before the Birtish surrender.  Also reportedly the last ship to leave Rangoon in March 1942.  Served as a tender to motor launches of the Burma Royal Naval Volunteer reserve based at Akyab before later being commissioned as HMIS Barracuda, continuing to operate in the role of depot ship until the war’s end.  In August 1953, after sailing from Hong Kong, she was reported fired on by an unidentified gunboat in the Formosa Strait, having previously been boarded briefly on 6th May 1953 by Nationalist Chinese guerrillas. (Escape from Hong Kong; Trove - National Library of Australia).

[5] “Comd Mergui” – Commander Mergui.  All troops in and around Mergui were under the command of the Battalion Commander,  2nd Burma Rifles, Lt.Colonel C.H.D. O’Callaghan (see below).  Command responsibility was defined as all troops South of a line drawn East and West through Palauk (inclusive) and the defence of this area (War Diary 2nd Burma Brigade WO 172/548).

[6] Tenasserim Division – 17th Indian Infantry Division.

[7] Captain Lyne cannot be identified – possibly Reginald Harry Lyne?.

[8] Lt. General T.J. Hutton and acting Major General J.G. Smyth, V.C. (the latter until 1st March 1942).

[9] Possibly Burnard Leslie Wilder, born 17th February 1899.  Commissioned, 31s January 1918, appointed to the Indian Army, 6th February 1918.  Promoted to Lieutenant, 31st January 1919.  As Lieutenant, Indian Army, 52nd Sikhs (Frontier Force), First World War service. Served Iraq 1919-20 and N.W. Frontier of India 1930-31. Seconded to the Burma Rifles, 13th January 1931.  Served Burma 1930-32 (Saya San Rebellion).   Promoted to Major, 31st January 1936.  Indian Army, Special Unemployed List, 1st April 1936.  Died 1962 (British Army List; FindMyPast.co.uk; “War Services of British and Indian Officers of the Indian Army 1941”, Savannah (2004)).

[10] Lyndon Grier Wheeler, born 31st December 1900.  Commissioned to the Unattached List as 2nd Lt., 17th December 1919.  Admitted to the Indian Army as 2nd Lt., 18th April 1920, attached to the 3rd Battalion, 70th Burma Rifles.  Attached to the 10th Battalion, 70th Burma Rifles from 11th November 1920.  Attached to the 20th Burma Rifles from 3rd January 1923 to 1st April 1937.  Promoted to Lieutenant, 17th December 1920, to Captain, 17th December 1926 and to Major, 17th December 1937.  As Captain, mentioned in despatches for distinguished services rendered in connection with the operations in Burma during the period December 1930 to March 1932 (the ‘Saya San Rebellion’), gazetted 20th December 1932.  On Special Employment as Intelligence Officer in India from 1st April 1933 to 15th April 1935.   Appointed to the 16th Punjab Regiment, 1st April 1937 to 1st December 1938.   In 1939, as Major, was Deputy Director, Defence  Bureau, Burma, attached the 1st Burma Rifles.  Served with the 3rd Battalion, The Burma Rifles as second –in-command  from mid-January 1942 until around 12th April 1942.  After the break up of the 3rd Burma Rifles in February 1942, was redeployed to Burma Army Command H.Q., and, as temporary Lt.Colonel, is mentioned in the war diary of 12th Burma Rifles on 26th February 1942 as being employed at Burma Army H.Q., where he organised the re-equipping of men without arms following the Sittang Bridge disaster.  Later, as Temporary Lt.-Colonel, 16th Punjab Regiment, attached to the 2nd Burma Rifles; killed 4th April 1943; awarded DSO 16th December 1943, dated from 3rd April 1943 (the recommendation for this award is available to view at the National Archives in file WO 373/31/115).  After the retreat to India, Wheeler became the CO of the 2nd Burma Rifles and commanded the battalion as part of the first Chindit operation.  While with No. 5 Column, Wheeler was killed on 4th April 1943 by a stray bullet at the village of Zibyugin.  He achieved the rare distinction of being awarded a posthumous DSO (Commonwealth War Graves Commission; British Army List; London Gazette; Anglo-Burmese Library; Indian Official History, Reconquest of Burma Vol 1, p. 131; “War Services of British and Indian Officers of the Indian Army 1941”, Savannah (2004); War Diary 3rd Burma Rifles, WO 172/976(War diary 3rd Burma Rifles); War Diary 12th Burma Rifles, WO 172/984(War diary 12th Burma Rifles)).

[11] James Exshaw, born, 26th November 1899.  Commissioned as 2nd Lt. to the Unattached List, 15th April 1919.  Appointed to the Indian Army as 2nd Lieutenant (IA 592), 28th April 1919.  Attached to the 24th Punjabis (the 14th Punjab Regiment from 1922), also served with 112th Infantry, 1920.  Promoted to Lieutenant, 15th April 1920.  Promoted to Captain, 15th April 1925.  Seconded and served as Assistant Commandant, Burma Military Police from 27th April 1932.  Assistant Commandant, Burma Military Police, 1933.  Promoted to Major, 16th April 1937.  Seconded to The Burma Rifles, 15th May 1940.  As Major, served with the 1st Battalion, The Burma Rifles, 1st October 1940.  As Major, Second-in-Command, the 6th Battalion, The Burma Rifles, 1941.  Appointed Second in Command, the 2nd Battalion, The Burma Rifles, 13th January 1942.  Arrived with the 2nd Battalion, the Burma Rifles, 15th January 1942.  Served as Administration Commandant, Class II., 1945-1946.  As Major (temporary Lt. Colonel), promoted to Lt. Colonel, 15th April 1947.  Died Warrington, 16th May 1974  (Burma Army List; FindMyPast; The Peerage, accessed February 2018; India Office List 1933; Indian Army List; War Diary 2nd Burma Rifles, WO 172/975).

[12] Capt Moysey cannot be identified.

[13] William Edward Charles Roper, born 26th June 1902.  Education, B.Engr. (2nd class Hons.)  Appointed Public Works Department, Assistant Executive Engineer, Mandalay, 18th October 1924.  Other appointments include Offg. Assistant Engineer, Sandoway, 14th May 1931; Executive Engineer, Myitkyina Division, 1939; final appointment,  Executive Engineer 1947 (A Project by Vivian Rodrigues Anglo-Burmese Library).

[14] S.S. Sir Harvey Adamson, passenger and cargo ship, operated by the British India Steam Navigation Company Ltd.  Capacity 12 first class, 12 second class and 476 deck passengers; crew of 64.  Employed on Burma coastal service.  After the Japanese conquest of Burma, from 1943, the ship operated as a military store and fuel depot ship for the remainder of the war.  On 17th April 1947, sailed from Rangoon with full crew and 205 passengers.  En route to Tavoy radioed that would be delayed due to bad weather.  She was never heard from again and on 15th May 1947 was declared lost with all hands (P&O - SIR HARVEY ADAMSON 1914.pdf [dead link]).

[15] A detachment of “B” Troop, 5th Field Battery, Rangoon Field Brigade, sent to Mergui on 27th December 1941 for beach defence.  Detachment made up of one British Officer and 20 British other ranks equipped with six Austrian 65mm mountain guns.

[16] Possibly G. Burns.  Regular Emergency Commission as 2ndLt., 28th April 1941.  War substantive Lieutenant, 15th November 1941, temporary Captain, 15th November 1941.  (British Army List; London Gazette).

[17] One of five operational motor launches operated by the Burma Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve (BRNVR) (WO 203/5728).

[18] Cornelius Howden Denis O’Callaghan, born 30th January 1897.  Mobilised Territorial Force until 7th July 1917, service 1 year, 126 days.  Commissioned into the Regular Army as Lieutenant, (13118), 4th December 1916.  Served in Egypt and Palestine, 1st January 1916 to 4th March 1917.  Appointed to the Indian Army as Lieutenant, 8th July 1917.  Served Iraq, 18th May 1918 to 11th November 1918.  Acting Captain from 2nd August 1918 to 26th February 1919, and from 19th March 1919 to 23rd November 1919.  Promoted to Captain, 24th November 1919, served with the 2nd Punjab Regiment (attached 66th Punjabis, attached 82nd Punjabis (1921)) from 24th November 1919.  Served Iraq, 1919-20.  A.D.C. to Division Commander, Mesopotamia Expeditionary Force, 20th January 1920 to 7th October 1920.  Staff Captain, India, 6th October 1921 to 20th December 1921.  Served N.W. Frontier of India 1930, where serving with the 5th Battalion, 2nd Punjab Regiment was Mentioned in Despatches, 6th May 1932.  Promoted to Major, 24th November 1933.  Served with the 5th Battalion, 2nd Punjab Regiment until 4th May 1937 when seconded to the Burma Army as a company commander, the 2nd Burma Rifles.  Commanding Officer, 2nd Burma Rifles from 28th December 1939.  Promoted Lt.Colonel, 14th May 1940.  Commanded the 5th Burma Infantry Brigade in India, from formation in October 1942.  Awarded O.B.E., 28th October 1942, in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Burma during the period December, 1941 to May, 1942.  Promoted to temporary Colonel, 12th April 1943 and temporary Brigadier, 12th April 1943 (British Army List; Indian Army List; London Gazette; IOR/L/WS/1/1313 - Burma: reorganisation of the Burma Army; “War Services of British and Indian Officers of the Indian Army 1941”, Savannah (2004)).

[19] Possibly Frederick Miller Smith, born, 2nd July 1892.  Served in France and Belgium, March 1915 to December 1917.  In ranks, mobilised with the Territorial Force, 2 years, 28 days; temporary 2nd Lt., a Service Battalion, The Northamptonshire Regiment, 29th September 1916 to 24th March 1918.  Commissioned into the Regular Army as 2nd Lt., 26th June 1917.  While 2nd Lt., Territorial Force, acting Captain from 20th July 1917.  To be temporary 2nd Lt.,probationary, on appointment to the Indian Army, 13th February 1918.  Appointed to the Indian Army as 2nd Lt., 25th March 1918.  Promoted to Lieutenant, 26th June 1918.  While serving with the Northamptonshire Regiment, awarded the Military Cross, gazetted, 18th July 1918.  Acting Captain while commanding a company, 70th Burma Rifles, 18th September 1918.  Served in Iraq, 1920-21.  Served in N.W. Persia, 1920.  Served with 3rd Battalion, 3rd Madras Regiment from 23rd September 1920.  Promoted to Captain, 18th June 1921.  Served with 2nd Battalion, 3rd Madras Regiment from 21st July 1923.  Appointed to the 20th Burma Rifles, 29th May 1926.  Served as Company Officer with the 3rd Battalion, 20th Burma Rifles from 4th June 1926.  Promoted to Major, 18th June 1935.  Adjutant, Auxiliary Force, India, 23rd July 1940 to 11th June 1934.  Officer Commanding, Thayetmyo (possibly), 1st April 1942.  Promoted to Lt. Colonel, 18th June 1943 (British Army List; Indian Army List; London Gazette; “War Services of British and Indian Officers of the Indian Army 1941”, Savannah (2004)).

[20] The Thakins were a Burmese nationalist group formed around the 1930s and composed of young, disgruntled intellectuals.  They were later credited with forming the Burma Independence Army (BIA) under the guidance and control of the Japanese.  When the Japanese invaded Burma in late 1941 and early 1942, the BIA marched with the Japanese.  The British sometimes referred to the BIA as “Thakins” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thakins).

[21] George Egerton Hodgson, born 1917 (approx).  Education, BA (Cantab).  Commissioned as 2ndLt., ABRO (ABRO 081).  Promoted from 2ndLt. to Lieutenant,  25th October 1941.  Mentioned in Despatches, gazetted 24th April 1945.  As temporary Major, the 2nd Burma Rifles, died 25th May 1944 in an aircraft accident.  USAF Douglas C-47A-65-DL (DC-3), serial number 42-100614, crashed during a meat shuttle flight between Calcutta and Dinjan, India, 25th May 1944, with a crew of four and nine passengers, all of whom died.  Of the 13 fatalities, three were British including Major Hodgson, all of the latter being part of the 3rd Indian Infantry Division (The Chindits).  The remains were recovered and placed in a communal grave at Kalaikunda, India.  In 1950 the men, Americans and British, were re-interred and buried at New Albany Cemetery, Indiana, USA, 17th January 1950  (London Gazette; Anglo-Burmese Library; Interment.Net; Commonwealth War Graves Commission; IWM - Memorials; https://etvma.org/; http://aviation-safety.net/index.php; http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/ ).

[22] F.A. Harris.  Regular Army Emergency Commission to the General List as 2ndLt., 28th April 1941.  Acting Captain from 18th October 1941, war substantive Captain, 7th May 1942 and temporary Major, 22nd January 1943 (British Army List).

[23] G.M. Hilton.  Regular Army Emergency Commission to the General List as 2ndLt., 28th April 1941.  War substantive Lieutenant, 17th May 1942, temporary Captain, 17th May 1942.  Later listed as commissioned in the Royal Engineers (British Army List).

[24] Francis William Haswell, born, 9th February 1898.  Mobilised with the Territorial Force, service 1 year, 150 days, to 17th  May 1918.  Served in France and Belgium, 14th April 1917 to 15th  February 1918.  Commissioned into the Regular Army as 2nd Lt., 19th September 1917.  Served with the 107th Pioneers, 13th May 1918.  Appointed to the Indian Army as 2ndLt (IA453), 18th May 1918.  Promoted to Lieutenant, 19th September 1918.  Served with 2nd Battalion, 107th Pioneers, 1st April 1919.  Served with 2nd Battalion, 61st Pioneers, 1st April 1921.  Served Waziristan, 1921-24, Wana.  Station Staff Officer, 2nd Class, Wana Column, 4th May 1921 to 17th  October 1921.  Served with 48th Pioneers, 4th January 1922.  Promoted to Captain, 12th September 1922.  Served with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Pioneers, 20th December 1926.  Served with the Bombay Pioneers, 1st April 1929.  Assistant Commandant, Burma Military Police, 1933. Commandant, Chin Hills Battalion, Burma Military Police, 12th December 1932 to 1937, then Commandant, Chin Hills Battalion, Burma Frontier Force, 1937 to early 1938? Promoted to Major, 12th September 1935.  Attached to the 4th Gurkha Rifles, 1938 to early 1940?  Commandant, the 2nd Battalion, The Burma Rifles, 1st April 1940 to 28th  December 1941.  Commanding Officer, the 9th (Reserve) Battalion, Burma Rifles, February 1942.  Charged to raise the Chin Levies, April/May 1942?.  Commanding Officer, the Chin Levies, June 1942.  Promoted to Lt.Colonel, 12th September 1943.  As Lt.Colonel (Local Colonel), attached Burma Frontier Force, for raising Chin Levies and leading them with detachments of the Burma Rifles, awarded D.S.O., 16th December 1943.  Promoted to temporary Colonel and to temporary Brigadier, 3rd March 1944.  Took over Command of Fort Hertz Area Headquarters until disbandment of the Headquarters , 28th May 1944 until December 1944.  Retired, 10th February 1949 ("Operations in Burma from 15th December 1941 to 20th May 1942", London Gazette, 5th March 1948; "War Services of British and Indian Officers of the Indian Army 1941", Savannah (2004); British Army List; India Office List 1933; Indian Army List; London Gazette; Seppings Interview, IWM - Collections; War Diary of the 2nd Burma Rifles, WO 172/975, (War diary 2nd Burma Rifles); WO 372/31/113; War diary of Fort Hertz Area Headquarters, WO 172/4485).

[25] Lt. A.C.S. Dickie, appointed ABRO (ABRO 35), 7th March 1940.  Served with the 5th Burma Rifles until assigned from the Composite Battalion, Burma Rifles as Staff Captain to the 13th Indian Infantry Brigade at Imphal, 8th June 1942.  As Captain (temporary Major), Burma Rifles, mentioned in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Burma, gazetted 24th April 1945  (Anglo-Burmese Library; London Gazette; War Diary 5th Burma Rifles WO 172/978  (War diary 5th Burma Rifles)).

[26] George Henry Astell, born 17th May 1910. Commissioned to the General List from Cadet, OCTU, as 2ndLt.( 189598), 28th April 1941.  War substantive Lieutenant, 25th October 1941.  As Captain (temporary Major), awarded the Military Cross, gazetted 4th January 1945, his citation follows:

Transcript of Military Cross Citation              

Brigade: 16th Infantry      

Division: 3rd Indian (The Chindits)

Unit: The Burma Rifles     

Date of Recommendation:               25th June 1944  

Action for which recommended :-  

On 18 April 1944, two Columns under Major ASTELL, which had been taking part in heavy fighting during the previous three weeks, were moving towards a British block which had been established astride a road and railway at HENU, Burma.

At 0630 hours, the leading troop had reached the broad stream bed of the Mawlu Chaung, when heavy fire was opened from the far side. Fighting developed on all sides, the enemy proved to be for the most part in dug-in positions. It became apparent that the route of the columns had taken them right between two strongly defended localities, which the enemy was holding in great strength with heavy and medium machine guns and mortars. The ensuing action, which was exceedingly hard-fought, continued for over four hours, when Major ASTELL received orders to disengage and continue his march by another route. This disengagement was hotly opposed by the enemy, who were by this time all around the columns; but with great skill Major ASTELL succeeded in withdrawing the greater part of his wounded.

Although in this action he lost twenty percent of his strength, the number of Japanese killed is known to have been more than twice his own losses, and is believed to be much higher still. Although twelve out of fourteen mules were killed, all mortars and machine guns were successfully manhandled out of the battle, and carried many miles. The whole action was fought with great determination by all ranks, and reflected as much credit on them as if it had been crowned with success. The personal conduct of Major ASTELL throughout was magnificent. He exposed himself fearlessly where the fire was hottest, his exemplary courage and demeanour inspired his troops to great deeds, and won their admiration for ever.               

Recommended by: Brigadier B.E. Fergusson DSO, Commanding 16th Infantry Brigade  

Signed By: Major General W.D.A. Lentaigne, Comd. 3 Ind Div; General G. Giffard, Commander-in-Chief 11 Army Group

Died 1974.  (London Gazette; Anglo-Burmese Library; Chindits Special Forces Burma 1942-44 - Awards; FindMyPast; Ancestry.co.uk).

[27] Cecil Stevens Sullivan, born 18th October 1898.  Commissioned into the Indian Army via the Indian Army Reserve of Officers as 2ndLt., 15th October 1918 (appointed from 7th August 1919).  Served with the 4th Battalion, 70th Burma Rifles from 12th June 1918 (IARO).  Promoted to Lieutenant, 15th October 1919.  Served with the 3rd Battalion, 70th Burma Rifles from 20th July 1920.  Served Iraq, 1920.   Served with the 5th Battalion, 70th Burma Rifles from 1st April 1922.  Served with the 20th Burma Rifles from 3rd September 1922.  Promoted to Captain, 1st October 1924.  Promoted to Major, 1st October 1936.  In 1937, while serving with the 1st Battalion, Burma Rifles, was attached to the Training Battalion, the then 10th Battalion, 20th Burma Rifles prior to conversion to a rifle battalion as the 4th Battalion, The Burma Rifles.  By January 1938, a Company Officer with the 4th Battalion, Burma Rifles.  In 1939 was the Officer-in-Charge, The Burma Rifles Recruitment and Regimental Centre at Maymyo.  Promoted from Major to temporary Lt.Colonel, Indian Army, 1st October 1944.  Died 4th May 1947, buried at Rangoon War Cemetery (British Army List; Indian Army List; London Gazette; “War Services of British and Indian Officers of the Indian Army 1941”, Savannah (2004); Commonwealth War Graves Commission).

[28] James Noble Mackay, born 18th January 1900.  Commissioned to the Unattached List as 2ndLt., 15th April 1919.  Appointed to the Indian Army as 2ndLt.(IA457), 16th April 1919.  Served Afghanistan, N.W. Frontier 1919.  Promoted to Lieutenant, 15th April 1920.  Served with 1st Battalion, 107th Pioneers (1921).  Served Persia, 1920.  Promoted to Captain, 15th April 1925.  Served N.W. Frontier of India, 1930 –31, for which Mentioned in Despatches, gazetted 6th May 1932.  Served North West Frontier, 1937.  Promoted to Major, 15th April 1937.  Seconded from 4th Gurkha Rifles to the Burma Army, 2nd Battalion, Burma Rifles, 1st June 1937.  Served with the 5th Battalion, The Burma Rifles during the 1942 campaign.  Commanding Officer, The Chin Hills Battalion, The Burma Regiment, 1942.  Awarded the D.S.O. while attached The Burma Rifles, gazetted 28th October 1942, citation as follows:

Brigade:                 1st [Burma] Inf, 1st Burma Division              
Corps:                    Burcorps               
Unit:                       5 Burif                  
Rank and Name: Major James Noble MACKAY
Date of Recommendation:                               25th April 1942.  

Action for which recommended :-  

At KYAUKTAGA on March 17th the battalion was attacked and subjected to heavy and accurate Mortar fire almost incessantly from 1100 hrs to 1800 hrs.  The Mortar fire was seriously affecting the men’s morale.  Major MACKAY moved amongst them talking to them and soon restored their confidence.
Finally he personally took out the withdrawal order to the centre company which was then bearing the brunt of the attack and remained there until the withdrawal hour bringing back the remnants through very heavy fire mostly at close range.
Throughout the action this officer set a magnificent example of courage and calmness which was an inspiration to all those around him.

Recommended By:             B.J. Devenish-Meares, Lt-Col., Comd, 5 Burif; Bruce-Scott, Maj-Gen, Comd 1 Burdiv

Honour or Reward:             Distinguished Service Order              

Signed By:                            H.R. Alexander, General.  

Promoted Lt.Colonel, 15th April 1945.  As temporary Lt.Colonel, 4th Gurkha Rifles, Mentioned in Despatches, gazetted 9th May 1946 (British Army List; Indian Army List; London Gazette; “War Services of British and Indian Officers of the Indian Army 1941”, Savannah (2004); WO 373/30/157). 

[29] Denis Clive Herring, born 6th December 1916.  Commissioned, Regular Army Reserve of Officers and Territorial Army, Royal Armoured Corps, 24th October 1936.  From the Supplementary Reserve of Officers, Royal Tank Corps, appointed 2ndLt., 13th October 1937, retaining current seniority.  Appointed Lieutenant, ABRO (ABRO32), 10th November 1939.  Trained with the 1st Burma Rifles at Kangyi in 1940.  Served with the 1st Battalion, The Burma Rifles during the 1942 Campaign; during April 1942, as Captain, was battalion Adjutant.  As acting Major, part of the Composite Burma Rifles Battalion, India, June 1942.  As Lieutenant (temporary Captain), the 2nd Battalion, The Burma Rifles, awarded the Military Cross, gazetted 5th August 1943.    As Captain, C.O. of the Independent Mission, a platoon of Burma Rifles, in support of the first Chindits' Northern (No 2) Group in February 1943.  Commanding Officer of ‘Dah Force’, operating in the Kachin Hills in 1944 during the 2nd Chindit Expedition.  The purpose of Dah Force, which was composed of some 70 British, Burmese and Hong Kong officers and other ranks, was to organise a Kachin rebellion in the hills during the Second Chindit Expedition into northern Burma, but they achieved only limited success as they were unable to operate in their most promising recruiting district and their 270 Kachin levies were ill-trained; there were problems over supply and in relations with the other British units (Morris Force and an SOE detachment) and Chinese guerrillas operating in the area.  A member of SOE Force 136, participated in Operation ‘Hainton’ in Kengtung State February-July 1945, in which he was involved in recruitment and training of locals and in planning raids on Thai and Japanese forces, creating disturbances along the Salween and northern Siam lines of communication.

Lt (Temp Capt) DC Herring MC - Transcript of Military Cross Citation 

Brigade:                 77th Indian Infantry Brigade          
Corps:                    4th Corps             
Unit:                       Royal Tank Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps, attached The Burma Rifles        
Regtl. No.              69361   
Rank and Name: Lieutenant (temp. Capt.) Denis Clive HERRING        

Action for which recommended :-  

OPERATIONS IN BURMA - MARCH 1943

On March 1st 1943, Captain HERRING was detached from the main body of 77 Ind Inf Bde, and directed with his platoon of Kachins to the Kachin Hills, with a view to ascertaining whether the Kachins could be raised and organised to fight the Japanese. Moving at great speed, Captain HERRING crossed the IRRAWADDY River and entered the Kachin Hills, about the middle of March. Speaking fluent Kachin, and enjoying to the full the confidence and affection of his platoon, the news of his coming rapidly spread through the hills and offers of help and assurances that the tribesmen were ready to rise as soon as he should give the word came in from all quarters. Other parties which reached the area in April all report his name as being known everywhere, and there is no doubt that as a result of his efforts two to three thousand riflemen could have been forthcoming had circumstances justified the word being given. As it is, his mission has greatly raised the spirits of the Kachins, the work has been greatly facilitated for a future date, and accurate information is in our possession of the temper of the inhabitants of an area of vital importance. His mission over, Captain HERRING withdrew his party safely to Fort Hertz.     

Recommended By:             Brigadier O.C. Wingate, DSO, Commander 77th Indian Infantry Brigade Group

Honour or Reward:             Military Cross      

Signed By:                            Brigadier O.C. Wingate, Comdr. 77th Ind. Inf. Bde; General Auchinleck, Commander-in-Chief India               

As Lt. Colonel (temporary), mentioned in recognition of gallant and meritorious services in Burma, 26th April 1945.  As Major, Mentioned in despatches, 25th September 1947.  As 2ndLt., war substantive Major, promoted to Major and granted the honorary rank of Lt.Colonel, 12t January 1949.  Died 7th January 2006 , Poole, Dorset.  A record for Lt.Colonel Herrign is held by the National Archives however it remains closed until 2031 (London Gazette; Summary of Private Papers of Lt. Col. DC Herring, MC FRICS, IWM Collection at IWM - Collections; Chindits Special Forces Burma 1942-44 - Awards; Tapper Funeral Service; National Archives; War Diary 1st Burma Rifles WO 172/974 (War diary 1st Burma Rifles)).

[30] James Charles Bruce.  Commissioned to the General List, Regular Army Emergency Commission as 2ndLt. (189617), 28th April 1941.  War substantive Lieutenant, 12th December 1941.  Served with the 4th Burma Rifles, November 1941 (at least) until June 1942.  As Captain, part of the Composite Burma Rifles Battalion, India 1942.  Temporary Captain, 5th April 1943.  As temporary Captain, 2nd Battalion, The Burma Rifles, awarded The Military Cross, 16th December 1943, citation follows: 

Brigade:                 77th Indian Infantry Brigade
Corps:                    4th Corps
Unit:                       2 Burma Rifles    

Rank and Name: Lieutenant James Charles BRUCE 

Action for which recommended :-

On 28th February 1943, Lieut. BRUCE was sent forward to arrange for the crossing of the IRRAWADDY River by Headquarters No.1 Group, No.1 Column and No.2 Column. He was accompanied by one section of Burma Rifles. Reaching the Steamer Station of TAGAUNG, with his small force he blocked the river preventing the movement of all traffic, and held the area for four days. On the 3rd March he entered the town accompanied by only four men, disarmed the local Burma Police Force, destroyed 7 rifles and kidnapped a Burman Customs Official who was a Japanese nominee. Owing to his efficient block of the river he was able to collect a large number of river craft and great quantities of food, sufficient to feed the whole force of 1,000 men for several days. Unaware that part of the force had been ambushed with and the plan changed, Lieut. Bruce continued with his inadequate party to hold the area far beyond the period originally ordered. Hearing at last of the fate of the main body, he finally abandoned the position which he had so boldly held and, rejoining his Platoon Commander, took part with him in a remarkable march across the Irrawaddy through the Kachin Hills and eventually back to India. During the whole period his courage, cheerfulness and unfailing sense of humour was a remarkable source of inspiration          

Recommended By:             Capt. G.P. Carne, Burma Rifles
Honour or Reward:             M. C.

Signed By:                            Brigadier O.C. Wingate, Comdr. 77th Ind. Inf. Bde.

 As temporary Major, The Burma Rifles, awarded Bar to the Military Cross, gazetted 26th April 1945 (British Army List; London Gazette; Chindits Special Forces Burma 1942-44 - Awards).

[31] D.C. Robertson.  Commissioned to the General List, Regular Army Emergency Commission as 2ndLt., 26th October 1941.  War substantive Lieutenant, 1st October 1942 (British Army List).

[32] Edward James Bennellick, born Rangoon, 20th November 1915.  Appointed 2nd Lt. ABRO Emergency Commission, 26th October 1941.  Relinquished commission as 2ndLt. and granted honorary rank of Captain, 20th January 1946.  Died 2006 (Anglo-Burmese Library; London Gazette, Ancestry.co.uk; FindMyPast.co.uk).

[33] Alexander Bell.  Commissioned to the General List from Cadet, O.C.T.U., as 2nd Lt. (189642), 28th April 1941.  Acting Captain, 11th August 1941.  War substantive Lieutenant, 1st October 1942.  Served as reconnaissance platoon commander, 2nd Chindit Operation.  As temporary Major, The Burma Rifles, Mentioned in Despatches, 19th September 1946.  As war substantive Captain, relinquished commission, 7th August 1946, and granted the honorary rank of Major (London Gazette; British Army List; “Prisoners of Hope”, Calvert M., Pen & Sword (2004)).

[34] Colin Dalrymple Shaw born, 2nd April 1919.  Emergency Commission to the General List as 2nd Lt. (189656), 28th April 1941.  Served with the 2nd Battalion, Burma Rifles, 28th April 1941 to June 1942.  Served with the 4th Battalion, The Burma Regiment, 1942 to 19th May 1946.  Commanded 'D' Company, 4th Battalion, The Burma Regiment, November 1943 to 4th March 1946.  As Captain, commanded 'C' Company, 4th Battalion, The Burma Regiment on detached duty in the Arakan, 1st March 1943 to 14th July 1943.  Evacuated with malaria, 2nd May 1943.  Wounded, 2nd May 1943.  Returned to unit, 7th June 1943.  As Captain, temporary Major, 4th Battalion, The Burma Regiment, awarded the Military Cross, gazetted, 8th February 1945.  As temporary Major, 4th Battalion, The Burma Regiment, awarded Bar to the M.C., gazetted, 28th June 1945.  Acting Battalion Commander, 4th Battalion, The Burma Regiment, 4th March 1946 to 22nd April 1946.  As Battalion Second in Command, left the 4th Battalion, The Burma Regiment at Akyab for release in the United Kingdom, 19th May 1946.  As war substantive Captain, relinquished commission and retired as honorary Major, 6th November 1946.  Died, 1983  (Burma Defence Services List July 1941; FindMyPast; London Gazette; War diary 2nd Burma Rifles, WO 172/975; War diary 4th Burma Regiment, W0 172/5037, 7803, 10321; War diary 'C' Company 4th Burma Regiment, WO 172/2657).

[35] Laurence Riley Martin.  Commissioned to the General List from Cadet, O.C.T.U., as 2nd Lt. (189637), 28th April 1941.  Initially served with the 4th Battalion, The Burma Rifles before transferring briefly to the 9th Battalion, The Burma Rifles on 2nd February 1942 and then transferring to the 3rd Battalion, The Burma Rifles on 22nd February 1942.  Subsequently formed part of the Composite Burma Rifles Battalion, India, June 1942.  Promoted war substantive Lieutenant, 1st October 1942.  As war substantive Lieutenant, transferred from the General List to the Highland Light Infantry to be war substantive Lieutenant, 19th June 1944, retaining current seniority (British Army List; War Diary 4th Burma Rifles, WO 172/977(War diary 4th Burma Rifles); War Diary 9th Burma Rifles, WO 172/981 (War diary 9th Burma Rifles)).

[36] Philip Anthony Mair Heald, born in Egypt, 24th September 1915.  Before the war, joined the Prison Service in 1936 and then joined the Burmah Oil Company as Labour Welfare Office, in 1937.  Commissioned from Cadet to the General List as 2ndLt.( 233584), 15th April 1942.  Served with or at least passed through the 10th Burma Rifles, as noted in the war diary of the 2nd Burma Rifles when he went on 31 days leave from the Composite Burma Rifles Battalion at Ranchi on 20th June 1942.   War substantive Lieutenant, 1st October 1942.  Served with the 1st Chindits, Column 5.  Hospitalised after return to India until November 1943, when rejoined the 2nd Burma Rifles as Adjutant, 24th November 1943.  In 1946 rejoined the Prison Service, where he worked until retirement in 1975.  Died 28th September 1991  (British Army List; Chindit Chasing, Operation Longcloth 1943).

[37] Peter Carstairs Buchanan, born 21st November 1912 at Esher, Surrey.  Commissioned 2ndLt., (ABRO 27), 10th November 1939.  Served with the 10th Burma Rifles during the 1942 Campaign.  As Lieutenant (temporary Captain), appointed Adjutant of the Composite Burma Rifles Battalion in Ranchi, 20th June 1942.  This composite unit later re-emerged as the 2nd Burma Rifles and Buchanan continued as Adjutant.  With the battalion, as part of the 1st Chindits Operation 1943, awarded the  Military Cross, gazetted 5th August 1943.  As Lt.Colonel and C.O., 2nd Burma Rifles, 1944, he appears in photos at Anglo-Burmese Library.  His recommendation read:

Brigade: 77th Indian Infantry Brigade          

Rank and Name: Lieutenant (temporary Captain) Peter Carstairs Buchanan      

Action for which recommended: -  OPERATIONS IN BURMA - MARCH 1943

Captain BUCHANAN entered BURMA as Adjutant of the 2nd Burma Rifles. Duties which he continued to discharge until the death in action of his C.O., Lt.Col. Wheeler, near ZEEBUGYIN East of the IRRAWADDY, when he himself took over command of the small party of Burma Rifles with him at the time, and successfully led them out via FORT HERTZ.

Throughout these operations, Captain BUCHANAN displayed great courage and gave an example of unselfishness and indifference to personal safety that had an inspiring effect on all ranks who witnessed it. In particular, when the Brigade Group was bivouaced 12 miles north of WUNTHO from the 12th to the 15th March 1943, Captain BUCHANAN took a small party actually into the enemy post at WUNTHO remaining in a position immediately overlooking the town and the enemy's dispositions for a period of 36 hours. During this period he relayed messages to the Brigade H.Q. every six hours, containing accurate and detailed information about the enemy's movements. this information resulted in a highly successful attack on WUNTHO by our air forces.

Captain BUCHANAN has the distinction of being the first British officer to carry out a close Guerilla reconnaissance on an enemy post deep in enemy occupied  territory resulting in a successful air attack. It is hoped that such reconnaissances will become frequent in future operations, but the success of the first attempt was a matter of great importance and called for high qualities of vigour, imagination and courage on the part of the officer who carried it out.      

Recommended By:  Brigadier O.C. Wingate, DSO, Commander 77th Indian Infantry Brigade Group           

Honour or Reward:  Military Cross (Immediate)         

Signed By:  Brigadier O.C. Wingate, Comdr. 77th Ind. Inf. Bde; General Auchinleck, Commander-in-Chief India.

As Lieutenant-Colonel, MC, TD (66802), The Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, Territorial Army, awarded OBE, gazetted 4th June 1957.  Died 7th October 1990 at St. Ives, Cornwall (London Gazette; National Archives; Anglo-Burmese Library; The Peerage; War Diary 10th Burma Rifles WO 172/982  (War diary 10th Burma Rifles)); Chindits Special Forces Burma 1942-44 - Awards).