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An Army in Burma Reserve of Officers (ABRO) was formed when the war started in 1939. It was formed partly by the transfer to it of officers resident in Burma who were on the Army in India Reserve of Officers list and partly by the acceptance of new entrants. Before the end of 1939 the first series of officers' training courses had begun in Maymyo. After September 1940 the normal channel of entry came to be through the Militia and Officer Training Cadet unit. The National Service Act of 1940 made it obligatory for European British subjects of military age to join it. By the beginning of 1942 the Army in Burma Reserve of Officers had increased to a strength of over nine hundred. In addition about one hundred and fifty gentlemen had received Emergency Commissions. Of all these the very great majority were European British subjects who had been resident in Burma. The officers of the ABRO served with all units of the Burma Army including The Burma Rifles, The Burma Regiment and the Kachin and Chin Levies. Vivian Rodrigues has documented the history of the ABRO and listed those enrolled, who became casualties and and who received awards. The lists can be accessed via the Anglo-Burmese Library web site at the War Against Japan page. 06 February 2012 |
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