Following the Japanese attacks on Pearl Harbor and Malaya the regiment was moved in February 1942 to defend Ceylon as part of 16th Infantry Brigade.Farndale, Far East, Annex K.Joslen, pp. 257–8. In February 1943, it moved to India, where it joined 70th Infantry Division. In September 1943, it was converted to infantry trained for Long Range Penetration with the 'Chindits'. It provided 51 Column under 16th Bde in the Second Chindit Expedition. Afterwards a portion of the men were repatriated to the UK, the remainder being posted to the Essex Regiment.
