1857: “BURMA”—76th PUNJABIS
[Sidenote: 1857: The Mutiny.]
[Sidenote: Battle of Azimghur.]
On the outbreak of the Mutiny of the Bengal Army in 1857, the Battalion
volunteered for service against the mutineers and was thanked by the
Government. The Rifle Company under Lieutenants Bates and Gray formed
part of the Madras Rifles, commanded by Major Carr, of the 16th. The
Company took part in several actions, notably that at Azimghur on April
6th, 1858, up to the end of the Mutiny. The Company rejoined Battalion
headquarters at Hurryhur in April, 1860.
Seven non-commissioned officers and privates were admitted to the Third
Class of the Indian Order of Merit for distinguished conduct at Azimghur.
[Sidenote: 1858: Operations in North Canara.]
[Sidenote: 1859.]
In 1858, while the Regiment was stationed at Mangalore, a detachment of
it formed part of a force under Captain Walpole, of the 16th, for the
suppression of an insurrection in North Canara. After ten months of very
harassing duty, the rebellion was put down and the detachment rejoined
the Battalion at Hurryhur in January, 1859.
[Sidenote: 1865.]
In 1865, while stationed at Madras, the reorganization of the army took
place consequent on the transfer to the Crown of the forces of the East
India Company.
[Sidenote: 1868.]
The Battalion proceeded to Burma in 1866 and returned to India in 1868.
Up to 1886 the Battalion was employed on garrison duty in various parts
of the Madras Presidency and of the Central Provinces.
[Sidenote: 1886: Burma]
In July, 1886, the Battalion, which was then at Vizianagram, was ordered
to embark for active service in Burma, and crossed the frontier on August
1st. The 16th formed part of the 3rd Brigade, Upper Burma Field Force,
under Brigadier-General Anderson, and was employed in various parts of
Upper Burma, chiefly on detachment, and took part in much desultory
fighting.
During the campaign the following casualties were incurred: 1 British
officer killed and 1 wounded, 5 other ranks killed and 3 wounded. In
1887, 61 non-commissioned officers and men died of disease; total deaths
from this cause on service were 102.
The battle honour of “Burma, 1885-87” was granted for this campaign.
[Sidenote: 1888.]
In February, 1888, the Battalion went into garrison at Mandalay until
March, 1889, when it returned to India and was stationed at Secunderabad.
[Sidenote: 1895.]
[Sidenote: 1900.]
[Sidenote: 1903.]
The Battalion again proceeded to Burma in 1895, being stationed at
Rangoon until December, 1898, when it returned to India and was stationed
at Berhampore. There it remained until January, 1900, when it embarked
for Singapore, in relief of British troops who had been sent to South
Africa. Returning to India in November, 1901, the Battalion was stationed
at Madras until May 16th, 1903, when it was transferred to Secunderabad
to be reconstituted as a Punjab regiment with the designation “76th
Punjabis.” Thus, after an honourable existence of more than 130 years,
the Battalion ceased to exist as a purely Madras Battalion.
The Colours, mess plate, and band instruments were handed over to the new
Battalion, and Lieut.-Colonel J. Jackson, of the old 16th, was appointed
Commandant. Drafts of about two hundred non-commissioned officers and
men were received from various Punjab Battalions and the new Battalion
recruited up to full strength, the majority of the British officers being
those of the 16th Madras Infantry.
The new composition of the Battalion was:—
Two companies of Sikhs.
Two companies of Hindu Jats.
Four companies of Punjabi Mussalmans.
The uniform remained scarlet, but the facings were changed to emerald
green from yellow.
In this year sanction was accorded for General Officers, who had been
previously connected with Battalions of the Indian Army, being appointed
Honorary Colonels thereof. Accordingly Major-General Henry S. Elton, who
had formerly served for thirty-two years in the 16th Madras Infantry, was
appointed the first Honorary Colonel.
[Sidenote: 1904.]
By the end of 1904, the Battalion was reported fit for service.
[Sidenote: 1908.]
In March, 1908, the Battalion proceeded to Tientsin, North China, for
garrison duty, finding detachments at Chinwangtao and Shanhaikwan. It
returned to India in 1911 and was stationed at Jhelum.