Both my grandfathers were part of the British Indian army. My maternal grandfather was a second leftanant at the start of the war and was promoted 2 steps to Captain because several men above him died. He served in Iraq (putting down a rebellion) and then went to North Africa. He was actually heading towards Singapore when secret messages were recieved overnight and his division (or whatever the group was called) was transferred to Iraq. Singapore was captured by the Japanse several days later and a few of his friends and I believe a somewhat distant cousin were killed or tortured.

My paternal grandfather was a bit younger but he was part of the airforce and served in Burma against the Japanse. I don't know if he saw combat since he died when my father (jet fighter accident) was a young boy so my knowledge of him is somewhat limited.