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Actions Help FAQs Can't find what you're looking for? Browse Collections A-Z University of London	Ceylon Defence Force Remove from selection Add to selection Request this item TitleCeylon Defence Force Held atInstitute of Commonwealth Studies Reference codeICS73 Date1940-1947 Creator Ceylon Defence ForceMore Info on CreatorLess Info on Creator The Ceylon Light Infantry Volunteers, were established in 1881 by proclamation of the lieutenant governor. This new volunteer force was commanded by British officers, while the ranks were filled out largely with Burghers, a highly Westernized group that adapted well to the demands of volunteer service. A mounted infantry company was added in 1892, and in 1900 this contingent was called to South Africa to assist the British army in the Boer War. In 1910 the volunteer corps was redesignated as the Ceylon Defence Force. Although Sri Lankan units were not deployed outside the island in either of the world wars, individual soldiers served in the British and British Indian armies. In World War II, the British crown took direct control of the island's armed forces from the colonial government. During this period, the Ceylon Light Infantry grew from 1 battalion to 5 battalions, while the total number of troops in uniform increased to 12,000. Most of these were engaged in maintenance and transport functions. Their most direct contact with the war came in April 1942 when the Japanese launched an air attack on Colombo. Scope and ContentPapers of J H Smith on the Ceylon Defence Force; comprising official reports on the Ceylon Defence Force (CDF), January-November 1943; examination papers for Commissons in the CDF, with comments by the examiners, 1942; and three letters of application to the CDF, 1940-1947. Conditions governing accessOpen for research although at least 24 hours notice before a research visit. However, access to individual items in the Institute of Commonwealth Studies Library archival collections may be restricted under the Data Protection Act or the Freedom of Information Act. Extent1 file (10 items) System of ArrangementDivided into three series as described above. Finding aidsHandlist available in the Special Collections reading room. Related files Handlist for ICS73 The Institute of Commonwealth Studies has several other collections relating to administration in Ceylon, including J R Granville Bantock (ICS27); Edward Trevor Dyson (ICS16); John Ferguson (ICS86); M W Roberts (ICS65); M K T Sandys (ICS71). Level of descriptionfonds

TitleCeylon Defence Force

Held atInstitute of Commonwealth Studies

Reference codeICS73

Date1940-1947

Creator
- Ceylon Defence ForceMore Info on CreatorLess Info on Creator
  The Ceylon Light Infantry Volunteers, were established in 1881 by proclamation of the lieutenant governor. This new volunteer force was commanded by British officers, while the ranks were filled out largely with Burghers, a highly Westernized group that adapted well to the demands of volunteer service. A mounted infantry company was added in 1892, and in 1900 this contingent was called to South Africa to assist the British army in the Boer War. In 1910 the volunteer corps was redesignated as the Ceylon Defence Force. Although Sri Lankan units were not deployed outside the island in either of the world wars, individual soldiers served in the British and British Indian armies. In World War II, the British crown took direct control of the island's armed forces from the colonial government. During this period, the Ceylon Light Infantry grew from 1 battalion to 5 battalions, while the total number of troops in uniform increased to 12,000. Most of these were engaged in maintenance and transport functions. Their most direct contact with the war came in April 1942 when the Japanese launched an air attack on Colombo.

Scope and ContentPapers of J H Smith on the Ceylon Defence Force; comprising official reports on the Ceylon Defence Force (CDF), January-November 1943; examination papers for Commissons in the CDF, with comments by the examiners, 1942; and three letters of application to the CDF, 1940-1947.

Conditions governing accessOpen for research although at least 24 hours notice before a research visit. However, access to individual items in the Institute of Commonwealth Studies Library archival collections may be restricted under the Data Protection Act or the Freedom of Information Act.

Extent1 file (10 items)

System of ArrangementDivided into three series as described above.

Finding aidsHandlist available in the Special Collections reading room.

Related files

Handlist for ICS73

The Institute of Commonwealth Studies has several other collections relating to administration in Ceylon, including J R Granville Bantock (ICS27); Edward Trevor Dyson (ICS16); John Ferguson (ICS86); M W Roberts (ICS65); M K T Sandys (ICS71).

Level of descriptionfonds

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