India General Service Medal 1908-1935. GV 2nd issue with clasp 'Burma 1930-32' (3966 Rfm. Lang Tang, 10-20 Burma Rif.)

Second World War Fatal Casualty: By the time of the start of the 'Pacific War', Lang Tang was holding the rank of Havildar (Sergeant) and serving with 1st Battalion Burma Rifles, the senior infantry regiment of the Burma Army. His life and supreme sacrifice is commemorated by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, where his service details are recorded on Column 1 of the Rangoon War Memorial, Burma, shown as having lost his life sometime between 3 September 1939 - 31 December 1947 (the dates represent the start of the Second World War and ends on date of the independence of Burma). It can safely be assumed that the actual date of death more accurately fell sometime between '8 December 1942 - 2 September 1945, the start and end dates of the War Against Japan!

At the time of qualifying for the IGS 1908-1935 medal the recipient, by ethnicity a Kachin, was serving as a Rifleman in the 10th (Training) Battalion 20th Burma Rifles, an infantry regiment of the British Indian Army

In 1937, the 20th Burma Rifles left the British Indian Army, and became the single multi-battalion infantry regiment, the Burma Rifles, of the Burma Army. All personnel who transferred to the Burma Army retaining their unique regimental numbers that had been issued sequentially since 1922

After fighting a series of actions in throughout the long British retreat through the heart of Burma in 1942, the survivors of 1st Burma Rifles, walked into British India in the middle of May 1942. Shortly after their epic retreat into British India, 1st Burma Rifles was disbanded

Note war diaries of 1/Burma Rifles were destroyed during the retreat, however the Commanding Officer, Lt Col. B Ruffell, later wrote an account reconstructing the diary, in 1943. The file is available at the National Archives at Kew as WO 172/974. A transcription of the file, together with extensive footnotes can be accessed from Steve Rothwell's 'The Burma Campaign' website, from where the below following extract is acknowledged with courtesy:

Comments written by Lt-Colonel B. Ruffel (Officer Commanding 1/Burma Rifles) had the below to say about the Kachin troops under command:

Quote,

The CHINS and KACHINS were made of sterner stuff, remained with the battalion to the end when they were released with amns arms & ammunition to return to protect their homes. These two classes sustained the majority of the battle casualties and their numbers were badly depleted by the time the CHINDWIN RIVER had been crossed. A number of KACHINS were permitted to return to their homes from INBAUNG but prior to their departure they were most insistent that their action should not be misconstrued. They emphasised their loyalty and their intention to rejoin the Regt. when we returned to BURMA.

Unquote.

Unless, Havildar Lang Tang, had been killed, died or lost, prior to 16 May 1942, it is most likely that he was amongst the 'Kachin' members of the regiment, referred to above who had been 'released from service' to return to their Kachin homelands, ostensibly to fight in the resistance against the invading Imperial Japanese Army, and for which each Kachin soldier was 'gifted' his Lee Enfield Rifle and 'Ammo' to return to the fight.........

Interested parties - and those particularly interested in the men and units of the Burma Army - are urged to refer to the website resource 'The Burma Campaign' maintained by Steve Rothwell using below link;

http://www.rothwell.force9.co.uk/burmaweb/index.htm

The medal fitted on an original silk 'regulation' size medal riband, and as-worn by the recipient in the swing-style. The stitched riband with attached mounting bar, this latter retaining its issue loop fittings

A very scarce seen named campaign medal to a confirmed Burma Rifles WW2 casualty

Condition Mild toned VF

Code: 22308