World War I : 1914 - 18

Madras battalions were among the first to be deployed in World War I, the 63rd sailing for East Africa right at the out break. The 75th was stationed in Aden where it engaged in 'several sharp brushes with the enemy'. The 73rd, 79th, 80th, 83rd (WLI) and the 88th took part in the Mesopotamian Campaign. Some of these regiments also saw action in Kurdistan. Other regiments served on the North-West Frontier.

First World War Group - IDSM Winners 80th Carnatic Infantry (Now 6 MADRAS)

Workshop of Mysore Transport Corps at Mesopotamia (Now 18 MADRAS)

The Regiment was awarded Battle Honours 'Kilimanjaro', 'East Africa 1914-16', 'Kut-al-Amara', 'Baghdad', 'Mesopotamia 1915-18', 'Aden', 'Persia 1918', NW Frontier India 1914-15 ; 1917' and 'Baluchistan 1918'.

World War II : 1939 - 45

It was due to the 'spirited advocacy' of the then Governor of Madras Sir Arthur Hope, that the 3rd Madras Regiment was restored to the Army List in 1941 ; the old 11th, 12th, 13th and 15th Territorial battalions were converted into regular units, becoming the 1st to 4th Battalions of the reconstituted Regiment, with the Regimental Centre at Madukkarai (Coimbatore). Hectic training activity commenced and several other battalions were raised.

The 4th Battalion joined the War at Imphal in 1943 and distinguished itself in the fierce fighting that ensued in Tamu in March 1944. Capt RS Noronha tenaciously held his company defences for sixteen days against repeated attacks, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy, for which he was awarded Military Cross. He was again instrumental in launching a feint attack to relieve pressure on 19 Inf Div bridge-head for which he was awarded a Bar to Military Cross.

In October 1945, all the Infantry Regiments of the Indian Army (barring Punjab) shed their numbers and the 3rd Madras Regiment became simply The Madras Regiment. At the time of Independence it had four battalions, 1st to 4th, with the Regimental Centre having shifted in 1946 to Trichinapally.

Travancore Forces (later 9 MADRAS (Travancore)) at Hiroshima Station in World War II

Full scale attack by 4th Battalion, supported by tanks and guns, on Pegado

For these commendable actions, 4 MADRAS was awarded Battle Honours ‘Tamu Road’, ‘Ukhrul’, ‘Ava’, ‘Kama’ and Theatre Honour ‘Burma 1942-45’.

The 1st Battalion also joined the effort in Burma in February 1945. The battalion played a commendable role in the operations termed ‘Reconquest of Burma’ earning Battle Honours ‘Mount Popa’ and Theatre Honour 'Burma 1942-45'. The 1st went on to serve in Malaya and Indonesia, being the first troops to land in Singapore in September 1945, after the Japanese capitulation.