Burma image, WA0376. [Kachin soldier. H & S] (Researcher's notes in brackets)Photograph taken by James Henry Green in Kachin Land, Burma (Myanmar). It was taken in the 1920s. 'The Kachin have served with success in the Burma Military Police since 1898. The first Kachins joined the regular army in 1916 and a company of them served in Mesopotamia with the 85th Burma Rifles for two years during the War. They were always cheerful, and adaptable. The amount of sickness was small, and as fighting men they were such a success that a battalion was formed on their return in 1919. The Army was opened to all classes now enlisted in 1917, but the majority of the tribes had been formerly tried with success in the Military or civil police. A battalion of Burmans served in Egypt, and one in Mesopotamia after the war, and a mixed battalion of the Company of Kachins, one Chins and one Karens was used in the Moolar Rebellion in 1931. These troops have in the past proved themselves adaptable even to life in the desert, but in Malaber they proved themselves to be first class jungle troop. The Moolar will never forget the Kachin with his long dah, they could not escape from him even in their own jungles' [Note on the races of Burma at present enlisted in the Burma Rifle Group, by Captain J. H. Green, 3/20th Burma Rifles and Assistant Recruiting officer Burma.)
Self and some of the party during a rest. Except in the hills rough roads exist throughout the Shan States and bullock cart transport is slow but sure.
Burma image, WA0711. Self and some of the party...
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