BATTLE HONOURS FOR SERVICES IN BURMAH, 1824-1887

Ava—Kemmendine—Arracan—Pegu—Burmah.[20]

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Ava, 1824-1826.

This distinction is borne by the following regiments:

Royal Scots.
South Staffords.
Somerset Light Infantry.
Essex.
Welsh.
North Lancashire.
Sherwood Foresters.
Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Dorsets.
Governor-General's Bodyguard.
Royal Dublin Fusiliers.
2nd Queen's Own Sappers and Miners.
26th Light Cavalry.
61st Pioneers.
63rd Light Infantry.
67th Punjabis.
69th Punjabis.
72nd Punjabis.
76th Punjabis.
82nd Punjabis.
86th Carnatic Infantry.
88th Carnatic Infantry.
90th Punjabis.
92nd Punjabis.

It recognizes the services of these regiments in the long and harassing campaign in Lower Burmah, between the years 1824 and 1826.

Our relations with our Burmese neighbours had never been marked with cordiality. They had been in the habit of committing unprovoked raids across the Assam or Cachar borders, and had misconstrued our verbal remonstrances into a sign of weakness. So far back as the year 1784 they had annexed Arracan in the most unprovoked manner, and since that date on more than one occasion considerable bodies of Burmese troops had actually violated British territory in pursuit of what they were pleased to call fugitives from justice. In the year 1823 they committed a series of aggressions in Sylhet and Cachar, and finally occupied an island in the vicinity of Chittagong, which was undoubtedly British. To our remonstrances they retaliated with a threat to invade Bengal and drive us back to our island home. War was reluctantly decided upon, and it was resolved to invade Burmah with four separate columns:

I. A column composed entirely of Bengal troops under the command of Brigadier Richards, was to operate from the north, and, after capturing the old capital of Assam, was to threaten the kingdom from that direction.

II. A second Bengal column under Brigadier Shuldham, was to penetrate by way of Sylhet.

III. A mixed column of Bengal and Madras troops, under Brigadier-General W. Morrison, was to advance from Chittagong into Arracan, with the support of a flotilla of the Indian Marine.

IV. The main attack was entrusted to a joint Bengal and Madras army, under Major-General Archibald Campbell, of the 38th (South Stafford Regiment), an officer who had done good service in the Peninsula. The troops composing the main army comprised a Bengal brigade, which consisted of the 13th (Somerset Light Infantry), 38th (South Stafford), and the 20th Bengal Infantry. The 1st Madras Brigade comprised the 41st (Welsh Regiment), the Madras European Regiment (now the 1st Royal Dublin Fusiliers), and five battalions of Madras sepoys, with two companies of artillery.

The 2nd Madras Brigade consisted of the 89th (Royal Irish Fusiliers), five battalions of Madras sepoys, and two companies of artillery.

The Bengal and Madras troops assembled in Cornwallis Bay, in the Andaman Islands; thence the main army proceeded to Rangoon, whilst Colonel McCreagh, of the 13th (Somersets), was detached to seize the island of Cheduba. Rangoon was occupied after very feeble resistance, but in the month of December the Burmese, finding we were not disposed to advance farther into their country, made desperate attempts to retake the city. They found, however, that we were as good behind stockades as they were, and from that date the war resolved itself into a number of desultory expeditions, in which stockade after stockade was carried at the point of the bayonet, often with heavy loss. There was little glory to be gained in such a war, nor was there scope for any display of military talent; but the gallantry of the officers and the ready valour of our men was never better exemplified.

The determined attack on Rangoon by the Burmese in the month of December, 1824, gave the 26th Madras, now the 86th Carnatic, Infantry an opportunity of putting an additional battle honour on their colours.

Kemmendine, November 30 to December 9, 1824.

This battle honour is borne only by the 86th Carnatic Infantry, and was granted to that corps, then the 26th Madras Infantry, by the Governor of Madras, in recognition of the gallant defence of the Kemmendine stockade during the repeated attacks by the Burmese in the month of December, 1824. Kemmendine was the name given by the Burmese to one of the principal defences of Rangoon. We had captured it with some loss on the first occupation of the city. It was rightly looked upon as one of the most important works in the vicinity of Rangoon. In December, when the Burmese made their desperate attempts to retake Rangoon, the Kemmendine stockade was the object of their fiercest attacks. It was held by the 26th Madras Infantry, now the 86th Carnatics, a company of the Madras Europeans, and some gunners, the Honourable Company's cruiser Sophie being moored off its river face. The conduct of the Madras sepoys was beyond all praise, and even Havelock, ever chary of encomiums, except to his beloved 13th, wrote in the most eulogistic manner of the 26th. "The sepoys of the 26th acquired a lasting reputation for their firmness at Kemmendine," wrote that distinguished General in his "History of the War in Ava." "Major Yates, who commanded them, sent for, and received, frequent supplies of ammunition, but never talked or dreamt of reinforcements, surrender, or retreat. Hungry and watching, pent in, outnumbered, and wearied by night and day, they repelled their assailants with slaughter." Another contemporary writer says: "Worn out with fatigue, they successfully repulsed the successive attacks of the enemy, contenting themselves with dry rice, not even laying aside their arms for cooking food." The safety of the stockade was entirely due to the ceaseless watchfulness of the little garrison. The Burmese had no stomach for an assault on a foe who was ready for them, and so it was that the garrison of Kemmendine escaped with few casualties.

The battle honour was only conferred on the 26th Madras Native Infantry, which also was allowed to assume the honour "Ava." The 1st Madras European Regiment, a detachment of which was so closely associated with them in the defence, has been obliged to content itself with the one distinction "Ava."

On December 7 the Commander-in-Chief determined to teach the Burmese a fresh lesson, and, attacking the besieging force (for Rangoon at this time was virtually besieged) in four columns, he inflicted on them a most crushing defeat, capturing over 200 pieces of ordnance.

In the course of the next few months our troops suffered terribly from climate and the criminal neglect of the most elementary precautions as regards shelter and food. The British soldier fought in coatee, shako, and leather stock. Hundreds perished from sunstroke, more from scurvy and cholera. The 13th (Somersets), 38th (South Staffords), 41st (Welsh), 45th (Sherwood Foresters), 49th (Royal Berkshires), and 87th (Royal Irish Fusiliers) buried 3,586 men in eight months; whilst the two regiments sent to Arracan, the 44th (Essex) and 54th (Dorsets), lost 595 out of a strength of 1,004.

Not only were our troops suffering from the climate, but the resistance of the enemy was found to be far more formidable than was anticipated. It was found necessary to call for more reinforcements, and early in 1825 the Royal Scots, the 44th (Essex), the 45th Sherwood Foresters, and the 87th (Royal Irish Fusiliers) joined Sir Archibald's army. The want of cavalry had been apparent, so the Governor-General's Bodyguard and a regiment of Madras cavalry were also despatched to Rangoon. In the course of the cold weather expeditionary columns had been sent to Tenasserim and Martaban, both of which provinces had been occupied with but little loss. A force despatched to Kykloo, however, met with a serious repulse, and the Commander-in-Chief felt that it would be necessary to carry the war still farther into Burmese territory. In February the main army advanced towards Prome, Brigadier Sale, of the 13th (Somersets), being detached to Bassein, which he occupied after a sharp fight. Sir Archibald Campbell met with a check at Donabew in the month of March, but towards the end of April Prome was occupied, and the summer was passed by the army with that city as its headquarters. Advances on our part, with a view to opening negotiations, were construed by the Burmese into an acknowledgment of our weakness, and as soon as the season permitted, fresh hostilities commenced. It was not until the month of February, 1826, that we were enabled to meet the enemy in the open. So little did they dread our attacks, and so little had they taken to heart the numerous defeats we had inflicted on them, that they actually withstood our attack in the open at Pagahm, not far from Prome. This was the lesson they needed. Hitherto the want of cavalry and the density of jungle had prevented our following up our successes, but at Pagahm the Governor-General's Bodyguard was able to reach the flying Burmese, cutting up a large number. The result of this was a renewal of peace negotiations; this time the advance was on their part.

The result of the war was a considerable extension of our territory to the east of Bengal. Tenasserim, Martaban, and Rangoon, all fell into our hands, and the King of Burmah renounced all sovereignty over Arracan and Assam.

Arracan, 1825.

This distinction was conferred by the Governor-General in Council on the Bengal native regiments which took part in the invasion of the ancient kingdom of Arracan during the operations in Burmah in the year 1825. The British and Madras regiments employed bear the same honour as that bestowed on the regiments which accompanied the main army under Sir Archibald Campbell. The only regiments now left with the distinction "Arracan" are the 2nd Gardner's Horse and the 5th Light Infantry.

The force destined for the invasion of Arracan was placed under the command of Brigadier-General W. Morrison, of the 54th (Dorsets), and acted in co-operation with a strong flotilla of the Indian Marine. It was composed of three brigades—two of Bengal, the third of Madras troops:

A couple of companies of Bengal and one of Madras Artillery, as well as two squadrons of Gardner's Horse, accompanied the force.

Casualties of the Arracan Field Force.

Casualties in Action during the Operations in Burmah, 1824.

The force suffered much from sickness, owing to the unhealthy nature of the country traversed, and experienced many hardships. The resistance was not very serious, but on one or two occasions the Burmese fought well. The total casualties amounted to about 130 killed and wounded, the Dorsets and 76th Punjabis being the principal sufferers.

The casualties in action barely reached 3 per cent., those by disease exceeded 56 per cent., of the troops present!

Pegu.

This distinction was granted to the following regiments, in recognition of their services during the campaign in Burmah in the years 1852-53:

Royal Irish.
South Staffords.
King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.
Royal Munster Fusiliers.
Royal Dublin Fusiliers.
2nd Queen's Own Sappers and Miners.
54th Sikhs.
61st Pioneers.
69th Punjabis.
79th Carnatic Infantry.
86th Carnatic Infantry.

The continual infractions of the Treaty of 1826 by the King of Burmah, his arbitrary seizure of the persons and property of British merchants, and his insolent reply to communications addressed to him by the Governor-General of India, rendered it necessary for us to take steps to uphold the dignity of our flag. Early in 1852 a force, furnished by the armies of Madras and Bengal, was placed under the command of General Godwin, an officer who had served in the war of 1834, and who prior to that had taken part in almost every engagement of note in the Peninsular War, under Wellington. At the outset of the operations it was thought that a brigade from each presidency would prove sufficient, but before the end of 1852 the army under General Godwin's command was organized into no less than five brigades, as under:

Of these five Bengal regiments, the 54th Sikhs alone remains to bear the honour.

The campaign calls for little remark. The General, whilst waiting for the Madras Brigade, seized Martaban, and on April 19 Rangoon was captured, with a loss to us of 149 officers and men killed and wounded, our trophies amounting to no less than ninety-two guns, mostly of large calibre. In the month of August the 1st Madras Fusiliers (now the 1st Battalion of the Dublin Fusiliers) arrived from Madras, and in October Pegu was captured. The war now resolved itself into a succession of attacks on dacoits, or petty chieftains, and is noticeable for the fact that in one of these, when matters were looking very serious for us, a young officer—Ensign Garnet Wolseley, of the 80th—showed himself possessed of determined gallantry and ready resource. He was badly wounded on this occasion, but it is not every Ensign that is fortunate enough to be mentioned in despatches in his first action.

The result of the campaign was a considerable addition to our Indian Empire—or, rather, to the dominions then administered by the East India Company—and the annexation of the maritime provinces of the Burmese kingdom. The casualties show the serious nature of the fighting which took place:

Burmah, 1885-1887.

This distinction was awarded to the regiments named below, who shared in the long and arduous operations in Burmah which led to the annexation of that province in the years 1885-1887:

The Queen's (R.W. Surrey).
King's Liverpool.
Somerset Light Infantry.
Royal Scots Fusiliers.
Royal Welsh Fusiliers.
South Wales Borderers.
Hampshire.
King's Own Yorkshire L.I.
Royal Munster Fusiliers.
Rifle Brigade.
7th Hurriana Lancers.
26th P.W.O. Light Cavalry.
27th Light Cavalry.
31st Lancers.
2nd Q.O. Rajput Light Infantry.
1st P.W.O. Sappers and Miners.
2nd Q.O. Sappers and Miners.
3rd Sappers and Miners.
4th Rajputs.
1st Brahmins.
5th Light Infantry.
10th Jats.
11th Jats.
12th Pioneers.
16th Rajputs.
18th Infantry.
26th Punjabis.
27th Punjabis.
33rd Punjabis.
61st Pioneers.
63rd Light Infantry.
72nd Punjabis.
73rd Carnatic Infantry.
74th Punjabis.
75th Carnatic Infantry.
76th Punjabis.
81st Pioneers.
83rd Light Infantry.
86th Carnatic Infantry.
87th Punjabis.
90th Punjabis.
95th Russell's Infantry.
96th Berar Infantry.
101st Grenadiers.
105th Mahratta Light Infantry.
107th Pioneers.
123rd Outram's Rifles.
125th Napier's Rifles.
127th Baluch Light Infantry.
3rd Gurkhas.
8th Gurkhas.

The absurd pretensions of the Court of Burmah had led to a cessation of all diplomatic intercourse between the British and Burmese Governments since the year 1879. In 1884 King Thebaw gave cause for further remonstrances by the high-handed treatment accorded to an English company trading in his kingdom, and on October 22, 1885, a contemptuous reply to an ultimatum led to a war which placed the battle honour "Burmah, 1885-1887" on the colours of so many of our regiments. Our Intelligence Department was by no means well informed as to the nature of the interior of the kingdom, beyond the main facts that roads were non-existent, and that it consisted for the most part of thick jungle. In the operations of 1824-1826, and again during the campaign of 1882, no efforts had been made to reach the capital, but it was now determined that no durable peace was possible until the King himself had felt the power of our arms. Fortunately, the officials of the Bombay-Burmah Trading Company possessed a number of steamers, the officers of which were excellent pilots, knowing the upper reaches of the river well, and their knowledge enabled the naval authorities to carry the operations to a rapid and successful conclusion. The officer selected to command the expeditionary force was Sir Harry Prendergast, of the Madras Engineers. He had well won a Victoria Cross for an act of exceptional gallantry in the Mutiny, and he had the reputation, besides personal gallantry, of possessing high powers of organization. The force at his command numbered upwards of 9,000 men, with 67 guns, and it was accompanied by a flotilla of no less than 55 river steamers, with a naval brigade of 600 men and 26 guns. The land force was divided into three brigades, each composed of one British and two native regiments, commanded by Brigadiers Foord, F. B. Norman, and G. S. White respectively. There were, as divisional troops, a battalion of native pioneers and six batteries of artillery. On November 14, 1885, no answer having been received to the ultimatum of the Viceroy, the force advanced; on the following day the forts at Minhla, on the Irawadi River, were carried by General Norman's brigade, and on the following day we silenced the various forts between our frontier and the capital. On the 26th, as we neared the capital, envoys arrived announcing the unconditional surrender of King Thebaw, and on the 28th we entered Mandalay, and the official war was over, our losses having been comparatively very trifling. Unfortunately, although a certain number of the Burmese troops laid down their arms at Mandalay, a very large number escaped into the jungle, to commence a harassing campaign of dacoitry. A force of three brigades and 9,000 men had been considered sufficient for the subjugation of the country; now five brigades and 30,000 men were mobilized to restore order.

On January 1 the Viceroy published a proclamation, by the terms of which the sovereignty of Burmah passed into our hands: "By command of the Queen-Empress, it is hereby notified that the territories formerly governed by King Thebaw will no longer be under his rule, but have become part of Her Majesty's dominions, and will, during Her Majesty's pleasure, be administered by such officers as the Viceroy and Governor-General of India may from time to time appoint." With this simple announcement 88,000 square miles of territory passed into our possession.

Casualties at Mandalay.

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