The Burma Campaign

F.F.6, Burma Frontier Force

It is not known when F.F.6, Burma Frontier Force was formed however it may well have been at around the same time as F.F.7 in January or February 1942 given that both detachments had a similar role in helping to protect the vulnerable coast around Rangoon.  It is likely to have consisted of two columns.[1]  It was formed by Major R.D. Low.[2] [3]

As the threat of Japanese attack grew, an ad hoc formation called "Pegu Force" was formed on 18th February 1942 to counter possible Japanese attempts to cross the Sittang estuary or to mount a landing near to Rangoon.  It included F.F.6.  The Force was given the role of defending Pegu from the South-East and linking up with the 17th Indian Infantry Division at the Sittang Bridge.  A similar force composed of a company of the 1st Battalion, The Gloucestershire Regiment, F.F.7 and a detachment of the Burma Military Police was responsible for the approaches to Syriam from the sea.[4]

On 25th February, two days after the Sittang bridge disaster, F.F.6 was still part of Pegu Force, with one column supporting a company of the 1st Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment at Kawa, South of Pegu across the Pegu River.  On 27th February this detachment was moved to the Thanaptin area and told to patrol to the South.[5]

On 1st March, F.F.6 reported to the 17th Indian Infantry Division that Japanese troops were possibly near Waw and Kadut-Kalagyaungyi in division strength, with the main objective of advancing on Rangoon.  The source of this information provided by F.F.6 was carefully scrutinised by the Headquarters of the 17 Indian Division, at Hlegu.  On 4th March, Pegu Force less F.F.6 was pulled in to Pegu and placed under command of the 7th Armoured Brigade as a temporary measure.[6]  The detachment commander, Major Low was killed in the fighting around Pegu on 8th March.[7]

Rangoon was evacuated on 7th March and the 17th Indian Infantry Division withdrew to the Tharrawaddy area where it hoped to rest, reform and to give no further ground between 10th and 14th March.  The F.F. detachments under command were F.F.2, F.F.3 and F.F.6 (and possibly a column of F.F.7).  The detachments appear to have been formed, albeit loosely, into a Frontier Force Group (F.F. Group), presumably under a single commander.  Certainly the Commanding Officer of F.F.2, Major Mostert,[8] recalls that F.F.6 was added to his command at Tharrawaddy.  He records that F.F.6 consisted of three columns under 2nd Lieutenants Smith,[9] Rathbone[10] and McTurk.[11]  Given that the two columns of F.F.2 were considerably under strength, Mostert added Smith's column to that of Captain Edwards[12] and McTurk’s column to that of Lieutenant McCann.[13]  Rathbone's column was retained at F.F.2 Headquarters with Major Mostert.[14] 

A Staff Captain serving with the Inspector General of the Burma Frontier Force (the Force headquarters), Captain K.L.G. Hales,[15] recalled that "...F.F.s Two (the second F.F.2) and F.F.6 were with 17th Div and had suffered heavy casualties in the fighting round Pegu, the men were weary with fighting and marching and it was essential to bring them back if possible".[16]

Under the 17th Indian Division, the F.F. Group was disposed with: a column and a Mounted Infantry troop at Henzada, with a detachment of Burma Military Police; the Headquarters and a column plus a troop of Mounted Infantry with the 17th Indian Infantry Division Headquarters at Tharrawaddy; a column attached to the Divisional Reconnaissance Regiment, the 1st Battalion Gloucestershires at Thonze from midday 11th March.  Mostert's account asserts that at this point Edwards and McTurk's columns were attached to the Gloucesters however the Gloucesters' history describes "a force of 90 of the Burma Frontier Force" being attached, the equivalent of only a single under strength column.[17]

During the period 13th to 15th March, the 17th Indian Infantry Division withdrew again with headquarters now at Shwegon and the troops defending the Okpo area.  The F.F. column in Divisional Reserve, located with HQ 17th Indian Infantry Division and the Headquarters of F.F.2, was sent to piquet the withdrawal route.  The column at Tharrawaddy was withdrawn to the Okpo area by armoured train.  The Gloucesters with the remaining F.F. column formed the rear guard.[18]

On 25th March, a force of 500 Japanese and 1,500 Thakins was reported to be moving on Kynagon from the South.  F.F.6 contacted this force and the enemy retreated, having become much disorganised.[19]

Further withdrawals followed over the next week or more until the 17th Indian Infantry Division was in positions centred on Prome.  On 29th March one column of the F.F. Group was at Paungdale on the Prome-Paukkaung road and another at Sinmizwe, to the East of Shwedaung.  The group had orders to patrol to the North-East, to the South-East and to the West of Sinmizwe.  According to the reconstructed war diary of the 5th Burma Rifles, who were resting there, the Paungdale column was F.F.5 however the war diaries of the 1st Burma Infantry Division and the 13th Indian Infantry Brigade place F.F.5 at Meiktila at this time.[20]  It is more likely that this column was actually F.F.2 as described by the Indian Official History.[21] 

The F.F. column (or columns) attached to the 1st Gloucesters returned to Mostert's command after the action at Shwedaung on 30th March.  By now casualties had reduced the size of the F.F. columns to a dangerous level so Mostert organised the men into two columns and a detachment Headquarters.  He was reinforced by the addition of three officers from a disbanded column of F.F.9, Captains McClintock[22] and Polglase[23] and Lieutenant Copeman.[24]  This allowed for one British Officer per platoon, there being three platoons per column.[25]

Whilst at Prome, F.F.2 sent both columns on patrol to the East of Prome to watch a road running North-South parallel to the main road.  One night they were able to surprise a Japanese column making a night march up the road.  After inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy, F.F.2 withdrew and made a night time cross country march to join up with the 17th Indian Infantry Division the next day.[26]

The Japanese came up to the Prome positions at the end of March and after a series of actions, on 2nd April the 17th Indian Infantry Division withdrew from Prome behind the 1st Burma Infantry Division which was holding positions at Allanmyo.  British plans were now to defend the oil fields at Yenangyaung with the 1st Burma Infantry Division holding the Minhla-Taungdwingyi line.  The 17th Indian Infantry Division went to Taungdwingyi to the left of the British line.  Orders from Burcorps issued on 6th April allocated F.F. detachments to the divisions.  To the 17th Indian Infantry Division went "B" Squadron, Mounted Infantry (the mounted infantry component previously part of F.F.1) and F.F.6, the latter presumably a part of the merged F.F.2/F.F.6 and possibly under the command of Captain Edwards (Edwards was killed shortly afterwards, on 10th April, in an attack South of Prome).  Other F.F. detachments were allocated to the 1st Burma Infantry Division and to the 2nd Burma Brigade, now operating independently on the West bank of the Irrawaddy.  All other F.F. detachments, including F.F.2, were ordered to withdraw to Yenangyaung for reorganisation, re-equipping and rest.  It is uncertain if F.F.2 actually did so given the accounts that follow of continued patrolling under the command of the 17th Indian Division.[27]

The F.F. Group attached to the 17th Indian Infantry Division was active in patrolling to the South of Taungdwingyi.  One column reported Japanese troops at Inwun on 11th April.  Two days later one column was patrolling from Bongon three to four miles to the East, West and South.  Another column patrolled from Ywamana to the area Thabyebin-Thesaw-Thegaw.[28]

The F.F. Group made up part of the defence force of Taungdwingyi under the 48th Indian Infantry Brigade on 20th April but left for Natmauk on the evening of 22nd April.  The next day the 17th Indian Infantry Division issued orders for a withdrawal with subsequent concentration in the Mahlaing area.  It seems by now that the F.F. Group, presumably including F.F.6, was at Meiktila and it too was ordered to Mahlaing.  This group may have been the amalgamated F.F.2 and F.F.6 columns described earlier and on 29th April is referred to as "Major Mostert's Group" by the 17th Indian Division.  The Group was ordered to move on 1st May to Allagappa with the task of watching the river crossing there.  For the purposes of this move the Group came under the command of the 16th Indian Infantry Brigade until arrival in the new area.  F.F.9 was also under the command of the division at this time but not Mostert's F.F. Group.  Two day's later and there is no reference to Mostert's F.F. Group but F.F.2 and F.F.9 are ordered to concentrate at Kaduma by first light on 4th May with the intention of being ferried to Pyingaing at dawn on the 5th May.[29]

F.F.2 received orders as part of the 17th Indian Division's move to Yeu.  F.F.2 less one company (column) accompanied the Divisional Headquarters and Divisional Troops, moving on the night of 1st/2nd May.  Two platoons of F.F.2 and all of F.F.9 moved with elements of the 16th Indian Infantry Brigade to Sadaung and the remaining F.F.2 platoon with other elements of the 16th Indian Infantry Brigade from Tizaung to Yeu.[30]

On 8th May, the 48th Indian Brigade, acting as the rear guard to the 17th Indian Division, was ordered to Shwegyin on the Chindwin River.  From here, Burcorps was evacuating to Kalewa all troops, transport and guns by ferry.  The Japanese landed unnoticed at Kywe to the South of Shwegyin, on 9th May.  They immediately began to attack and fighting ensued for the high ground above the jetty area that was known as the "Basin".  As the 48th Indian Infantry Brigade fought to secure the Basin and to keep the Japanese from the high ground above it, F.F.2 and F.F.6 were placed under the command of the brigade and ordered into the Basin with the objective of preventing any Japanese advance from the North, between the Chindwin and the high ground known as the "Coll".  As the afternoon of 10th May wore on a crisis developed when it became apparent that the river steamers could no longer use the jetty and it was decided to withdraw the 48th Indian Infantry Brigade through Kongyi to Kalewa along a very difficult track.  The plan was to withdraw the brigade during the evening under the cover of a barrage involving every available piece of ammunition being fired off before the guns were then spiked, it being impossible to transport them up the track northwards.  As a precursor to this, F.F.2 and F.F.6 moved out of the way of the withdrawal just before dusk.  The brigade made good its escape and from Paunggyaung was ferried across the Chindwin to Kalewa.[31]

From Kalewa F.F.2 and F.F.6 went to Imphal and then to the railhead at Dimapur.[32]

22 November 2017


[1] “Distinctly I Remember”, Braund HEW, Wren (1972)

[2] Burma Frontier Force by Lt. Col G.G. Pryce”, WO 203/5697

[3] Robert Duncan Low born in Burma, 31st August 1907.  Commissioned from the Royal Military College as 2nd Lt. to the Unattached List, 1st September 1927.  Promoted to Lieutenant, 27th February 1930, with seniority from 1st December 1929.  Appointed to the Indian Army as 2nd Lt. (AI 384), attached to the 1st Battalion, 9th Jat Regiment, 27th February 1930.  Promoted to Captain, 1st September 1936.  Seconded and served with the Southern and Northern Shan States Battalions, Burma Frontier Force from 16th July 1939.  Assistant Commandant, the Southern Shan States Battalion, Burma Frontier Force, late 1939 to 1941.  During 1940 served as Assistant Censor at Lashio, 1940.  Assistant Commandant, the Northern Shan States Battalion, Burma Frontier Force, early 1941.  As Major, raised and became Commanding Officer of F.F.6, Burma Frontier Force, early 1942 to 8th March 1942.  Whilst in command of F.F.6, Burma Frontier Force, was killed, 8th March 1942 ("Burma Frontier Force" by Lt. Colonel G.G. Pryce, WO 203/5697 (Burma Frontier Force, WO 203/5697); "Notes on B.F.F.", F.F.2, by Major D. Mostert, WO 203/5700 (Notes on B.F.F., F.F.2, WO 203/5700); British Army List; Indian Army List; "Distinctly I Remember", H. Braund, Wren (1972)).

[4] “Indian Armed Forces in World War II, The Retreat from Burma 1941-42”, Prasad, B, Orient Longmans (1954).

[5] War Diary of the 17th Indian Division, WO 172/547

[6] WO 172/547

[7] Commonwealth War Graves Commission

[8] Derrick de la Grange Mostert born Cape Town, South Africa, 26th July 1900.  Commissioned to the Unattached List as 2nd Lt., 29th January 1920.  Appointed to the Indian Army as 2nd Lt., attached to the 20th Lancers, 5th February 1920.  Attached as Squadron Officer to the 15th Lancers, 1921.  Promoted to Lieutenant, 29th January 1921.  Promoted to Captain, 29th January 1927.  As Captain, seconded as Assistant Commandant to the Burma Military Police, 25th October 1932.  Served as Assistant Commandant, Mandalay Battalion, Burma Military Police, 25th October 1932 to 1938.  Married Vivien Louise Howell Cooke, Rangoon, 1933.  Attached to the 13th Lancers from 31st August 1937.  Promoted to Major, 29th January 1938.  Transferred to the Special Unemployed List, 1st April 1939.  Attached to the 13th Lancers from 18th October 1939.  Served with the Burma Frontier Force from 27th December 1941.  Appointed Commanding Officer, F.F.2, Burma Frontier Force, succeeding Major Love (killed in action), around 15th January 1942 to May 1942.  As Major (temporary Lt. Colonel), Indian Armoured Corps, Mentioned in Despatches for service in Burma, gazetted, 28th October 1942.  Promoted to Lt. Colonel, 3rd July 1946.  As Lt. Colonel (IA 364), Special Unemployed List, retired, 3rd July 1947.  As Lt. Colonel (ex Indian Army retired), appointed Lt. Colonel (408604), 1th/19th Hussars, Regular Army Reserve of Officers, 1st January 1949.  As Lt. Colonel, 15th/19th Hussars, Regular Army Reserve of Officers, having reached the age limit of liability for recall, relinquished his commission, 26th July 1955 ("Notes on B.F.F.", F.F.2, by Major D. Mostert, WO 203/5700 (Notes on B.F.F., F.F.2, WO 203/5700); "War Services of British and Indian Officers of the Indian Army 1941", Savannah (2004); Burma Army List; FindMyPast; Indian Army List; Indian Army List 1921; Indian Army List July 1942; London Gazette; South Africa, Dutch Reformed Church Registers (familysearch.org)).

[9] Andrew Clarke Smith born, Bombay, 3rd December 1909.  Emergency Commission as 2nd Lt. to the General List (217686), 26th October 1941.  Served as Column Commander, F.F.6, Burma Frontier Force, January/February 1942 to March 1942.  Attached to Captain Edward's column, F.F.2, Burma Frontier Force following the disbandment of F.F.6, March/April 1942.  War substantive Lieutenant from 10th May 1942.  War substantive Lieutenant from 1st October 1942.  Temporary Captain from 9th March 1943 (British Army List; Burma Army List; Burma Army List 1943; “Notes on [the] Burma Frontier Force” by Major D. Mostert, WO 203/5700; "Burma Frontier Force" by Lt. Colonel G.G. Pryce, WO 203/5697).

[10] Patrick Warre Rathbone born, 15th December 1917.  Burma Civil Service, Class 1, gazetted, 24th September 1940.  Emergency Commission as 2nd Lt. to the General List (217678), 26th October 1941.  Served with F.F.6, Burma Frontier Force, January/February - March 1942.  Attached to Headquarters, F.F.2, Burma Frontier Force following the absorption of F.F.6, March 1942 to May 1942.  War substantive Lieutenant, 1st October 1942.  Served as Adjutant, as Lieutenant and then (acting) Captain, the Western Chin Levies, 1st July 1943.  Served with the Western Chin Levies, July 1943.  As Burma Civil Service, Class 1, Secretary to the Financial Commissioner (Commerce), awarded M.B.E., gazetted, 1st January 1948.  Director of the Liverpool Queen Victoria District Nursing Association, 1st June 1991 to 14th May 1998.  Director of The Abbeyfield Liverpool Society, 30th October 1991 to 31st December 1993.  Died, 26th November 2003 ("Notes on B.F.F.", F.F.2, by Major D. Mostert, WO 203/5700 (Notes on B.F.F., F.F.2, WO 203/5700); British Army List; Burma Army List 1943; companycheck.co.uk; Toxteth Park Cemetery ; London Gazette;War Diary of the Western Chin Levies, 1943,  WO 172/2151; "Burma Frontier Force" by Lt. Colonel G.G. Pryce, WO 203/5697).

[11] John McTurk born, 26th July 1914.  Appointed Burma Civil Service (Class I), 13th September 1937.  Assistant Commissioner, Burma Civil Service (Class I), 1938 to 1940.  Sub-Divisional Officer, Minbu (BCS Class I), pre-war.  Deputy Commissioner, Shwebo, pre-war.  Emergency Commission to the General List as 2nd Lieutenant (57309), 26th October 1941.  Served with F.F.6, Burma Frontier Force, February 1942 to March 1942.  With effective disbandment of F.F.6, was attached to Lieutenant McCann's column of F.F.2, Burma Frontier Force, March 1942 to May 1942.  "On deputation", Burma Civil Service (Class I), 1st September 1942.  Civil Affairs Service (Burma) (CAS (B)), 1944-45.  Civil Affairs Officer with the 26th Indian Infantry Division, Arakan, 1944.  Senior Civil Affairs Officer, Akyab, 1945.  Travelled from Rangoon to Liverpool aboard the S.S. "Reina del Pacifico", arrived, 11th June 1946.  As Lieutenant, war substantive Major, appointed Major, South Staffordshire Regiment, Territorial Army Reserve of Officers, 1st January 1949.  As Major, appointed Major, South Staffordshire Regiment, Territorial Army Reserve of Officers, retired having reached the age limit, granted the honorary rank of Lt. Colonel, 26th July 1964.  Died, 1990  ("Burma Frontier Force" by Lt. Colonel G.G. Pryce, WO 203/5697; “Notes on [the] Burma Frontier Force” by Major D. Mostert, WO 203/5700; “The Temple Bells are Calling, Memories of Burma”, Mole R.; Ancestry.co.uk; Burma Army List 1943; Burma Civil List 1938-1940; Burma Civil List 1942; FindMyPast; London Gazette; War diary 4th Burma Regiment, WO 172/7803).

[12] John Oswald Valentine Edwards born, 14th February 1912.  As  University Candidate, commissioned from the General List, Territorial Army - University Candidate, as 2nd Lt. (50496), East Surrey Regiment, 28th October 1933, with seniority from 28th January 1932.  Promoted to Lieutenant, 28th January 1935.  Seconded to the Burma Defence Force, transferred to the Special Employed List, and served as Assistant Commandant, Myitkyina Battalion, Burma Frontier Force, 11th July 1938 to 1939.  Promoted to Captain, 28th January 1940.  Officer Commanding No.1 Column, F.F.2, Burma Frontier Force, 1941.  Officer Commanding No.1 Column, F.F.2, Burma Frontier Force, 1942 to 10th February 1942.  Column Commander, F.F.2, Burma Frontier Force, 10th February 1942 to 10th April 1942.  Column Commander, F.F.2, Burma Frontier Force, attached to the 1st Battalion, The Gloucester Regiment, whilst at Tharawaddy, 10th March 1942.  Identified as "detachment commander, F.F.6" in a newsreel, actually a Column Commander with the merged F.F.2/F.F.6 whose command included elements of F.F.6, late March/early April 1942.  Killed in an attack "just" South of Prome, 10th April 1942.  Died at Paungde, 10th April 1942 ("Cap of Honour, The Story of the Gloucestershire Regiment (28th/61st Foot), 1694-1975", D.S. Daniell, White Lion (1951 & 1975); "Notes on B.F.F.", F.F.2, by Major D. Mostert, WO 203/5700 (Notes on B.F.F., F.F.2, WO 203/5700); British Army List; CWGC; IWM Collections; Indian Army List; "Burma Frontier Force, Short History of Original F.F.2" by Captain E.W. Booker, WO 203/5701).

[13] Terence Martyn McCann born, Rangoon, 1st March 1906.  Worked for Macgregor & Co. Ltd., Phayre Street, Rangoon, 1940-41?.  Commissioned as 2nd Lt., ABRO (ABRO 90), 7th March 1940.  Served with the Burma Frontier Force, 1940.  As Lieutenant, Commanding Officer, No.1 Column, F.F.3, Burma Frontier Force from May 1941 to June 1941.  Column Commander, No.2 Column, F.F.2, Burma Frontier Force, June 1941 to May 1942.  Promoted to Lieutenant, 15th November 1941.  Temporary Captain from 10th July 1942.  Served with the Chin Hills Battalion, The Burma Regiment, 1944?.  Died, 24th April 1965 ("Notes on B.F.F.", F.F.2, by Major D. Mostert, WO 203/5700 (Notes on B.F.F., F.F.2, WO 203/5700); “Short History of F.F.3” by Major J.H. Turner, WO 203/5702 (Short History of F.F.2, WO 203/5702); Ancestry.co.uk; Burma Army List; Burma Army List 1943; FindMyPast; Thacker's Directory 1941; War Diary of the Chin Hills Battalion, WO 172/5040).

[14] “Notes on [the] Burma Frontier Force” by Major D. Mostert, WO 203/5700; Official History

[15] Keith Lawrence Goodwin Hales born, 18th March 1911.  Sailed from London to Bombay aboard S.S. "Strathmore", occupation listed as "bank clerk", 15th February 1936.  Worked as Chief Assistant for Thomas Cook & Son (Bankers) Ltd. 102 Phayre Street, Rangoon, 1941.  Commissioned as 2nd Lt., ABRO (ABRO 80), 16th October 1941.  Staff Captain, Burma Frontier Force, 1942.  Temporary Captain from 14th March 1942.  Served with the 5th Battalion, The Burma Regiment, 1943.  Served with the 1st Battalion, The Burma Regiment as "D" Company Commander, 1944.  Second-in-Command, the 1st Battalion, The Burma Regiment from 6th June 1944.  Arrived at Liverpool from Rangoon aboard S.S. "Salween", occupation listed as "bank assistant", 22nd June 1948.  Arrived at Liverpool from Bombay aboard S.S. "Caledonia", occupation listed as "banker", resident of Dacca, 14th May 1959.  Died, 1995 (“Notes on [the] Burma Frontier Force” by Captain Hales, WO 203/5698; ancestry.co.uk; Burma Army List 1943; FindMyPast; Thacker's Directory 1941; War Diary 1st Burma Regiment, WO 172/5036).

[16] “Notes on [the] Burma Frontier Force” by Captain Hales, WO 203/5698

[17] WO 203/5700; WO 172/547; “Cap of Honour, The Story of the Gloucestershire Regiment”, Daniell DS, White Lion (1951)

[18] WO 172/547

[19] War Diary of the 1st Burma Corps, WO 172/403

[20] War Diary of the 5th Burma Rifles, WO 172/978

[21] “Indian Armed Forces in World War II, The Retreat from Burma 1941-42”, Prasad, B, Orient Longmans (1954).

[22] Nigel Stanley McClintock born, 31st December 1915.  Educated at St.Columba's College, Rathfarnham, dates unknown.  Worked with Messrs. T.D. Findlay & Sons, 1939-41?.  Commissioned as 2nd Lt., ABRO, 7th March 1940.  Served with the Burma Frontier Force, 1940.  Listed as "Lt. E. McClintock", Column Commander, No. 4 Column (Shans), F.F.3, Burma Frontier Force, March-May 1941.  Promoted to Lieutenant, 9th September 1941.  As Captain, Column Commander, No. 4 Column, F.F.3, Burma Frontier Force, was ordered with his column to come under direct command of 17th Indian Infantry Division, near Pegu, 23rd February 1942.  As Captain, described as "previously belonging to F.F.9", came under command of F.F.2, Burma Frontier Force, at Prome, from mid-April 1942.  While serving with F.F.2, killed by a sniper, between Yeu and Shwegyin, 8th May 1942 ("Notes on B.F.F.", F.F.2, by Major D. Mostert, WO 203/5700 (Notes on B.F.F., F.F.2, WO 203/5700); “Short History of F.F.3” by Major J.H. Turner, WO 203/5702 (Short History of F.F.2, WO 203/5702); Anglo-Burmese Library - Vivian Rodrigues; Burma Army List; Commonwealth War Graves Commission; Turtle Bunbury).

[23] Edward Basil Julian (Julyan) Polglase born, Falmouth, 18th August 1905.  Educated St. Peter's College, Radley, March 1920 to February 1924.  Worked for Steel Brothers, general staff, 1926 to 1941?.  As a "merchant's assistant", travelled to Rangoon from Liverpool on the SS "Oxfordshire", 10th September 1926.  Served as Captain, The Rangoon Battalion, Burma Auxiliary Force, Summer 1940 to 25th October 1941.  Emergency Commission as 2nd Lt. to the General List (217659), 26th October 1941.  War substantive Lieutenant, temporary Captain from 4th April 1942.  Served with F.F.9, Burma Frontier Force, April 1942.  As temporary Captain, attached to F.F.2, Burma Frontier Force following disbandment of F.F.9, April 1942.  As Captain, served with the Kokine Garrison Battalion, Burma Frontier Force, from April/May 1942.  Served as Adjutant of the Kokine Garrison Battalion, Burma Frontier Force from 25th May 1942.  After the war, returned to work for Steel Brothers, 1st September 1945.  As war substantive Lieutenant, relinquished his commission with the honorary rank of Captain, 7th March 1946.  Editor of the Steel Brothers house magazine, post-war.  Died, Hove, East Sussex, 13th November 1976 ("Calling to Mind, Being Some Account of the First Hundred Years (1870 to 1970) of Steel Brothers and Company Limited", Braund H.E., Pergamon (1975); "Notes on B.F.F.", F.F.2, by Major D. Mostert, WO 203/5700;  (Notes on B.F.F., F.F.2, WO 203/5700); War Diary of the Kokine Garrison Battalion, WO 172/691; Burma Army List; Burma Army List 1943; FindMyPast; British Army Officers 1939-45; London Gazette; St. Peter's College, Radley - Register (St. Peter's College, Radley Register); Thacker's Directory; FindMyPast).

[24] George Harvey Copeman born, 20th January 1914.  Worked as a clerk for Burmah Oil Company, travelled to Rangoon on the SS "Prome", 14th May 1937.  Emergency Commission from Cadet to the General List as 2nd Lt. (189650), 28th April 1941.  Served with F.F.9, Burma Frontier Force until or just before, 10th April 1942.  Joined F.F.2, Burma Frontier Force at Prome on or just after, 10th April 1942.  War substantive Lieutenant, 1st October 1942.  Temporary Captain, 9th April 1943.  Relinquished commission as war substantive Lieutenant and granted the honorary rank of Major, 27th May 1946.  Company Director whilst living in Dawlish, Devon, 28th June 1991 to 14th May 1998.  Died, 2002 ("Notes on B.F.F.", F.F.2, by Major D. Mostert, WO 203/5700 (Notes on B.F.F., F.F.2, WO 203/5700); British Army List; Burma Army List 1943; FindMyPast; London Gazette; www.companiesintheuk.co.uk).

[25] WO 203/5700; “Cap of Honour”

[26] WO 203/5700

[27] Official History; WO 172/403

[28] War Diary of the 16th Indian Brigade, WO 172/570

[29] WO 172/547

[30] WO 172/547

[31] War Diary of the 48th Indian Brigade, WO 172/589

[32] WO 203/5700.