The Ceylonese Who Fought … & Died …. at Gallipoli in 1915 – By Michael Roberts
Source : thuppahis
A NOTE from Retd Gp Capt. Kumar Kirinde, 25 April 2025
During the Gallipoli campaign, the Ceylon Planters’ Rifle Corps (CPRC) played a role, with a unit of around 80-130 troops serving as escorts and bodyguards for the General Commanding the 1st ANZAC Corps, Lieutenant General William Birdwood. In total, about 2,000 volunteers from the Ceylon Defence Force are estimated to have served with the Imperial and Allied forces, including the CPRC. The CPRC unit initially sailed for Egypt in October 1914 and was later dispatched to Anzac Cove on the Gallipoli Peninsula, where they performed operational duties.
Eighty of these troops were sent to Gallipoli, the first group landing there on April 25, 1915. The troops were mainly used as the ANZAC commander’s bodyguard. In addition to the three buried at the Beach Cemetery, three more, who died on board hospital ships on the way home, are said to be buried in Colombo.
NOTE: SOURCES
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