Burma Rifles - Uniform and Insignia

Uniform and Insignia

The mess uniform of the Burma Rifles was rifle green with scarlet facings and the regimental badge was a male Burmese peacock displaying over a title-scroll "BURMA RIFLES" in white metal (silver or silver gilt for officers). In Volume 2 of his work "Indian Army Uniforms" W.Y. Carman describes a full dress uniform in the same colours, noting that it was worn by officers and other ranks forming part of the Coronation Contingent of 1937. It is not however known on what other occasions (if any) it was used.

The last surviving Burma Rifles Officer, Major Neville Hogan MBE noted the following further insignia distinctions from the World War II period: Shoulder titles : rifle green with "BURMA RIFLES" in red. Collar dogs: a (male) Burmese peacock (displaying)over a title-scroll "BURMA RIFLES" in white metal (officers silver or silver gilt). Officers pips: silver for full dress, black for service dress. Black embroidered onto red worsted (after the traditions of the 60th Rifles/KRRC). Enlisted stripes & crowns: black embroidered onto rifle green worsted (after the traditions of the 95th Rifles/Rifle Brigade).

This unusual mix was noted and verified by photographs in Major Hogan's collection.