55 



A Machine Gun Section 



A Transport Section. 



Battalion Scouts and Communication Section. 



Each Company numbers about 277, all ranks, divided into four 

 Platoons of some 50 men each, which contain four Sections each 

 of some 50 men, which contain four Sections each of some 12 men. 



The Combatant Companies have Company Scouts, Communi- 

 cation men, and Judging Distance men. 



On these lines a small town might raise one Combatant Sec- 

 tion and three Administrative Sections, forming a complete Platoon 

 under a Lieutenant or Second-Lieutenant. 



The Combatant Companies have rifles, and practice drill, 

 training and musketry on a Volunteer basis ; the Administrative 

 Companies have more the role of Special Constables ; they also 

 drill and occasionally obtain the loan' of rifles when available. 

 They have many duties of protection told off to them. 



This proposal is not intended to interfere in any way with the 

 existing Volunteer Forces, for which, indeed, it is likely to pro- 

 vide recruits. 



Action to be taken by Individual Planters. 



Individual planters and others who live in isolated places and 

 for whom Volunteering has no attractions, should be enrolled as 

 Special Constables, and can each form a separate group of loyal 

 men from their immediate subordinates, for local action if 

 necessary. 



It is hoped that by this system any band of roughs would be 

 promptly met by a body of loyal men, who would tackle them 

 at once before they could extend their operations. 



No doubt in time these little Town Guards will cease to exist, 

 when the necessity for their use passes away ; but the organisation 

 would remain, and they can be quickly revived whenever the need 

 for them seems likely. 



Uniform: Badges. 



The men provide themselves with khaki uniform or if they 

 prefer it with two khaki arm bands as a distinctive mark, and 

 Government provides them ,with badges to wear on their shoulder 

 straps or arm-bands. All the Companies in Colombo have now 

 got uniform. 



Instructors. 



The services of the Volunteer Instructors or of any loyal 

 Volunteer or ex-Volunteer will be utilised to instruct them, as far 

 as these are obtainable. 



Form of Oath. 



The men take the Oath of Allegiance and undertake to attend 

 drills and musketry regularly. 



Immediate steps should be taken to raise and organise such 

 units. 



The circular letter, besides embodying the scheme, contains 

 two annexures, the first being the rules and regulations of the 

 Colombo Town Guards (Ordinance No. 22 of 1914) and the second 

 as follows : 



