North Staffordshire Regt. Officer's Service Dress Cap

[BobS]

An Indian made officer's service dress cap for the North Staffords, likely for the 1st Battalion, which was based in India at he outset of WWII.
It has General Service side buttons rather than regimental pattern and the general quality of the cap is not up to English made caps, especially the ersatz material sweatband.
What I find puzzling is that the battalion served in Burma in 1942 & part of 1943, but then performed internal security duties in India for the balance of the war. Seems strange duty for a regular battalion; were there issues with the battalion's service in Burma?

BobS

[Jerry B]

Perhaps rotated out after two years in Burma.

[Watchdog]

No issues as far as I am aware. They were every bit as good as any other line battalion of the period (ie very good) in context. Already serving in India they were deployed with 26th Indian Div and fought for six days as a rear-guard at Ngakeydauk Pass in 1943. This left the Bn greatly depleted and under strength which would require removal from the line.
Being so close to India and having been deployed from India in the first instance they would not be sent anywhere else in the circumstances. They would not be re-deployed to the line until fully re-constituted and the Japanese in Burma were "dealt with" before that was achieved.

As for the cap it is a good example of the type with apparently little wear.

Regards

Mark