Branch Christmas Dinner 13th December 2022 - For a second year running the Branch Christmas Dinner was held at the United Services Recreation Club in Jordan with 28 members and guests sitting down for dinner. A traditional Christmas Banquet was served and the lucky draw raised $2000 for branch funds. A fine night was had by all, images of which can be seen below:
Project Avenger Presentation by Craig Mitchell 20th July 2022 - In 2012 local resident and military historian Craig Mitchell, whilst hiking the hills on HK island, stumbled upon the wreckage of a wartime U.S. Navy plane. Upon investigation, the aircraft was found to be from a U.S. Navy Task Force consisting of no fewer than 10 aircraft carriers engaged in a bombing mission of Japanese-occupied HK on 16 January 1945. This amazing discovery kick-started what became known as “Project Avenger.” Craig initiated a 10-year campaign for funding to research the crash site in Tai Tam; negotiating with the relevant authorities, (including the U.S. Navy’s Heritage Command), and obtaining the required local permits and licences.
Visit to Sai Wan Military Cemetery 27th November 2021
After a hiatus of close to 18 months due to the imposition of COVID restrictions, the Branch has finally been able to resume activities. December 2021 will commemorate the 80th anniversary of the outbreak of the Pacific War, and it seemed therefore appropriate to conduct a visit to a venue closely linked to this campaign. On Saturday 27 November 2021 a large group of members and friends visited the Sai Wan Memorial and War Cemetery on Hong Kong island. The cemetery is the final resting place of some 1500 men killed during the 1941 Battle for Hong Kong, plus a large number who died elsewhere in Asia but who were reinterred in Sai Wan when it opened in 1946. More than 2000 Commonwealth soldiers who were killed during this conflict but who have no known grave are commemorated on a memorial panel near the entrance to the cemetery. During our visit, members recounted the acts of gallantry displayed by two men during the battle who are commemorated there. The first was the Canadian W.O. 2 John Osborn who was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross; the other was Lance Bombardier John Bullen of the Royal Artillery who was killed in action at Stanley. Although recommended for the Victoria Cross, he eventually received a Mention in Despatches. The group went on to visit a number of notable graves in the cemetery. These included that of the most senior officer killed during the battle, Brigadier John Lawson, the commander of the Canadian force which arrived in November to augment the garrison. Perhaps surprisingly the cemetery is also the resting place of two British Major Generals. One of these officers died of illness as a PoW in Formosa (Taiwan), the other in a plane crash in Kunming (Republic of China). Both were reinterred at Sai Wan in 1946. Finally, mention must be made of the assistance afforded by the Head Gardener of the CWGC in Hong Kong, Mr. Morris Cheung, throughout our visit. The cemetery is maintained by the CWGC and without Mr. Cheung’s help, our visit would not have been so successful. At the conclusion of the visit our President presented a Branch plaque to Mr Cheung in appreciation of his assistance.
After a hiatus of close to 18 months due to the imposition of COVID restrictions, the Branch has finally been able to resume activities. December 2021 will commemorate the 80th anniversary of the outbreak of the Pacific War, and it seemed therefore appropriate to conduct a visit to a venue closely linked to this campaign. On Saturday 27 November 2021 a large group of members and friends visited the Sai Wan Memorial and War Cemetery on Hong Kong island. The cemetery is the final resting place of some 1500 men killed during the 1941 Battle for Hong Kong, plus a large number who died elsewhere in Asia but who were reinterred in Sai Wan when it opened in 1946. More than 2000 Commonwealth soldiers who were killed during this conflict but who have no known grave are commemorated on a memorial panel near the entrance to the cemetery. During our visit, members recounted the acts of gallantry displayed by two men during the battle who are commemorated there. The first was the Canadian W.O. 2 John Osborn who was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross; the other was Lance Bombardier John Bullen of the Royal Artillery who was killed in action at Stanley. Although recommended for the Victoria Cross, he eventually received a Mention in Despatches. The group went on to visit a number of notable graves in the cemetery. These included that of the most senior officer killed during the battle, Brigadier John Lawson, the commander of the Canadian force which arrived in November to augment the garrison. Perhaps surprisingly the cemetery is also the resting place of two British Major Generals. One of these officers died of illness as a PoW in Formosa (Taiwan), the other in a plane crash in Kunming (Republic of China). Both were reinterred at Sai Wan in 1946. Finally, mention must be made of the assistance afforded by the Head Gardener of the CWGC in Hong Kong, Mr. Morris Cheung, throughout our visit. The cemetery is maintained by the CWGC and without Mr. Cheung’s help, our visit would not have been so successful. At the conclusion of the visit our President presented a Branch plaque to Mr Cheung in appreciation of his assistance.
Branch Visit to Stanley Military Cemetery 12th July 2020
Although the Covid - 19 virus tried its best to thwart our plans, some 17 members and friends of the Branch braved the scorching Hong Kong summer heat to visit Stanley Military Cemetery on Sunday 12 July, 2020.The main aim of the event was to look in some detail into the lives of 5 very brave men who lie there. These are 4 military officers and 1 Hong Kong Government official who were all executed by the occupying Japanese Army in 1943 and who were all posthumously awarded the George Cross for anti-Japanese activities.As the final resting place of 5 George Cross holders, Stanley Cemetery must be unique.The opportunity was taken to look at the graves of others who were killed either during the 1941 battle or subsequent occupation. These people included military personnel and nursing sisters, and one unfortunate HK Police officer, (a former internee), who died whilst swimming near Stanley after the Japanese surrender.A libation or 2 was enjoyed in Stanley Village by a small group of attendees afterwards - whilst practicing social distancing rules! Many thanks to Martin Heyes for organising and leading the event.
Although the Covid - 19 virus tried its best to thwart our plans, some 17 members and friends of the Branch braved the scorching Hong Kong summer heat to visit Stanley Military Cemetery on Sunday 12 July, 2020.The main aim of the event was to look in some detail into the lives of 5 very brave men who lie there. These are 4 military officers and 1 Hong Kong Government official who were all executed by the occupying Japanese Army in 1943 and who were all posthumously awarded the George Cross for anti-Japanese activities.As the final resting place of 5 George Cross holders, Stanley Cemetery must be unique.The opportunity was taken to look at the graves of others who were killed either during the 1941 battle or subsequent occupation. These people included military personnel and nursing sisters, and one unfortunate HK Police officer, (a former internee), who died whilst swimming near Stanley after the Japanese surrender.A libation or 2 was enjoyed in Stanley Village by a small group of attendees afterwards - whilst practicing social distancing rules! Many thanks to Martin Heyes for organising and leading the event.
Branch Social & AGM 23rd December at Gunners Bar, United Services Recreation Club, Jordan, Kowloon.
A social and AGM was held as above 11 members attended including former Branch President and Society stalwart Angus Stevenson-Hamilton visiting from the U.K. The minutes of the Meeting can be seen here: OMRS AGM 2019 Minutes of Meeting
A social and AGM was held as above 11 members attended including former Branch President and Society stalwart Angus Stevenson-Hamilton visiting from the U.K. The minutes of the Meeting can be seen here: OMRS AGM 2019 Minutes of Meeting
30th June 2019 visit to the Green Hub - a small but enthusiastic group of Branch members and friends braved the heat to visit the old Tai Po Police Station in the New Territories (N.T.), now renamed the Green Hub. The group included Branch stalwart and former Hon. Secretary John Leighton, visiting from the United Kingdom. The police station opened in 1899 shortly after the leasing of the N.T. to the United Kingdom by the Qing Government. It functioned as a police station until 1987. The Hong Kong SAR Government selected the Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden to run the project as a Green Hub by transforming the site into a conservation and education centre. The group was guided around the complex by an excellent docent from the Green Hub, Ms. Chong, and heard some interesting stories of the days when it served as a police station. The story of Chief Inspector William McHardy, BEM, CPM and his wife Mona, whose career was inextricably linked with the building, was recounted, as was the discovery of a large quantity of ammunition in the station garden in the mid-1980’s, believed to have been buried there ahead of the Japanese invasion in 1941. The visit concluded with a lively discussion and refreshments in the former Police canteen.
30th April 2019 a talk by Lt. Col. Nigel Collett on the The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, also known as the Amritsar Massacre - the Branch held a well-attended presentation almost to the day of the 100th anniversary of one of the most momentous occasions in Anglo-Indian history; the massacre in the Jallianwala Bagh at Amritsar in the Punjab of many hundreds of Indian citizens under the direction of Indian Army officer General Reginald Dyer. Approximately 30 members and friends of the Branch heard a presentation given by retired Lt. Col. Nigel Collett at the Royal Hong Kong Regiment (V) Association clubhouse. Nigel Collett, a Branch member, was originally commissioned into the Devon and Dorset Regiment with whom he served in Northern Ireland. After service with the Sultan of Oman’s Armed Forces he transferred to the Gurkha Rifles, rising to the rank of Lt.Col. and commanding the 1st Bn. 6th Queen Elizabeth’s Own Gurkhas. Nigel read history at Oxford University and is the author of the critically acclaimed book “The Butcher of Amritsar – General Reginald Dyer,” (2005).
13th & 14th March 2019 Visit to the Bogue Forts and other locations related to the China Wars - An overnight visit to the Bogue Forts and other sites of interest in the Pearl River Delta was held in March. Ten members and friends attended and visited Humen Sea Power Museum and the Weiyuan and Nanshan Forts on day one. On day two we visited the site of the June 1839 destruction of the British traders' opium ("the opium pits") by Imperial Commissioner LIN Zexu which led to the First Opium War and in the afternoon the site of the former Whampoa Military Academy in Guangzhou. With thanks to our able in-house tour guide - Martin Heyes. Read Martin's report on the visit HERE.
Talk by Angus Stevenson-Hamilton, QPM, CPM on the Chinese Regiment - 24th January 2019 Past President Angus Stevenson-Hamilton gave a fascinating talk on The Chinese Regiment 1899 -1906, the only one in the British Army. Raised initially to police the Wei Hai Wei concession and British naval anchorage. Subsequently caught up in the Boxer rebellion, Third China War. They acquitted themselves well but were not treated very kindly by the British. Disbanded when no further use could be found for them. Remnants went on to in the First World War, Chinese Maritime Customs and Shanghai. Angus is a former President of the Hong Kong Branch and Assistant Commissioner of Police, Royal Hong Kong Police with an extensive knowledge of the China wars.
Branch Christmas Dinner - On Friday 7 December 2018, a little over 20 members, guests and friends of the Branch enjoyed an excellent Christmas Dinner at the United Services Recreation Club, Jordan, Kowloon. A sumptuous repast was provided and, as always, the lucky draw proved to be a popular attraction. Our thanks to Mike Broom for facilitating this wonderful venue and Martin Heyes for running the lucky draw.
'Bewitched, bothered and bewildered; a career beguiled by Gurkhas and Nepal' - The Branch organized a very well-attended talk held at the Royal Hong Kong Regiment (the Volunteers) Clubhouse on the evening of Thursday 25 October 2018.
Over 30 Branch members and guests attended a very interesting presentation given by retired Lieut. Colonel Nigel Collett on his experiences serving with the Regiment into which he was commissioned, (1st. Bn. Devon and Dorsets); the Sultan of Oman’s Armed Forces and finally, 1st. Bn. 6th Queen Elizabeth’s Own Gurkha Rifles.Nigel supplemented his talk with a power point presentation, and a lively question and answer session followed. Great use was made of the cash bar provided by the Volunteers Association, and the Branch thanks the latter for very generously allowing us the use of their wonderful facility located in the Happy Valley Racecourse.
Over 30 Branch members and guests attended a very interesting presentation given by retired Lieut. Colonel Nigel Collett on his experiences serving with the Regiment into which he was commissioned, (1st. Bn. Devon and Dorsets); the Sultan of Oman’s Armed Forces and finally, 1st. Bn. 6th Queen Elizabeth’s Own Gurkha Rifles.Nigel supplemented his talk with a power point presentation, and a lively question and answer session followed. Great use was made of the cash bar provided by the Volunteers Association, and the Branch thanks the latter for very generously allowing us the use of their wonderful facility located in the Happy Valley Racecourse.
Medals of Lt. Col. Reginald Walker, OBE, MC, ED - On Saturday 18th August at the Museum of Coastal Defence, Shau Kei Wan, Dr. KWONG Chi Man, Assistant Professor in the History Department of the HK Baptist University, spoke on the medals awarded to Lt. Col. Reginald Walker, OBE, MC, ED a member of the HK Volunteer Defence Corps who served in the military during both world wars. Lt. Col. Walker was an engineer who served with the Royal Engineers during the Great War. He later became an engineer with the Kowloon Canton Railway; served with the HKVDC during the 1930s and the fall of Hong Kong during which he was wounded and made a POW and subsequently had the honour of having a post-war KCR diesel locomotive named after him! His medals are owned by the Museum of Coastal Defence; hence the selection of that venue the event. Our thanks to the museum and Dr Kwong.
La Fronde Memorial Ceremony
La Fronde was a French torpedo destroyer which was sunk in Hong Kong during “the great typhoon” of 1906, resulting in the death of 5 sailors. Following this tragedy a memorial was erected to the incident, which now stands in the HK Cemetery in Happy Valley. Over the years the monument had deteriorated quite alarmingly, but thanks to the efforts of a number of people has now been restored. A re dedication ceremony was held at 11:00 hrs in the Cemetery on Thursday 5 July 2018, at which a number of branch members were present, including Paul Harrison who was involved professionally with the restoration work. Background information can be found in an SCMP article linked to here .The event was hosted by the Consul-General of France, M. Eric Berti, and many of the sizeable French community in Hong Kong attended, including M. Xavier Pech, who spoke at the ceremony wearing his uniform as a Lieutenant Commander. Both M. Berti and M. Pech serve in the French Navy Reserve (citizen service), with M. Berti holding the rank of Commander. M. Pech referred to the vessel as a frigate in his short talk at the memorial, whereas other references to the warship refer to it as a “torpedo destroyer” - it is referred to as a destroyer on the monument. M. Berti mentioned that although the monument highlights the part played by the British community in Hong Kong when it was first commissioned, sight must not be lost of the efforts made by the French community; not only in Hong Kong at that time, but also the part played by French citizens of what was then known as French Indo-China, in its construction. And, of course, the role played by the modern French community of HK in terms of fund-raising to have it restored.
La Fronde was a French torpedo destroyer which was sunk in Hong Kong during “the great typhoon” of 1906, resulting in the death of 5 sailors. Following this tragedy a memorial was erected to the incident, which now stands in the HK Cemetery in Happy Valley. Over the years the monument had deteriorated quite alarmingly, but thanks to the efforts of a number of people has now been restored. A re dedication ceremony was held at 11:00 hrs in the Cemetery on Thursday 5 July 2018, at which a number of branch members were present, including Paul Harrison who was involved professionally with the restoration work. Background information can be found in an SCMP article linked to here .The event was hosted by the Consul-General of France, M. Eric Berti, and many of the sizeable French community in Hong Kong attended, including M. Xavier Pech, who spoke at the ceremony wearing his uniform as a Lieutenant Commander. Both M. Berti and M. Pech serve in the French Navy Reserve (citizen service), with M. Berti holding the rank of Commander. M. Pech referred to the vessel as a frigate in his short talk at the memorial, whereas other references to the warship refer to it as a “torpedo destroyer” - it is referred to as a destroyer on the monument. M. Berti mentioned that although the monument highlights the part played by the British community in Hong Kong when it was first commissioned, sight must not be lost of the efforts made by the French community; not only in Hong Kong at that time, but also the part played by French citizens of what was then known as French Indo-China, in its construction. And, of course, the role played by the modern French community of HK in terms of fund-raising to have it restored.
Talk By Tony Banham on his book "Reduced to a Symbolic Scale"
On Saturday 28 April the Branch hosted a talk by local historian and author, Tony Banham, on his latest (and perhaps NOT now final) book, entitled “Reduced to a Symbolical Scale.” The book details the evacuation of thousands of British subjects from the former Crown Colony of Hong Kong, to Australia, in the face of Japanese aggrandisement ahead of the Pacific War in 1941. The talk was held in the Royal Hong Kong Regiment Volunteers Association Clubhouse in t Happy Valley Racecourse. It was apparent, from the interest shown by many attendees in the many artefacts held by the Association on display, that this was the first time that many people had visited this venue. Our thanks to the Royal Hong Kong Regiment (the Volunteers) Association for kindly allowing us the use of the Clubhouse. The provision of a cash bar also proved to be a popular decision! The event was a great success with over 40 people present. Attendees included not only Branch members, but also many people with a general interest in this turbulent but fascinating period in Hong Kong’s history.
On Saturday 28 April the Branch hosted a talk by local historian and author, Tony Banham, on his latest (and perhaps NOT now final) book, entitled “Reduced to a Symbolical Scale.” The book details the evacuation of thousands of British subjects from the former Crown Colony of Hong Kong, to Australia, in the face of Japanese aggrandisement ahead of the Pacific War in 1941. The talk was held in the Royal Hong Kong Regiment Volunteers Association Clubhouse in t Happy Valley Racecourse. It was apparent, from the interest shown by many attendees in the many artefacts held by the Association on display, that this was the first time that many people had visited this venue. Our thanks to the Royal Hong Kong Regiment (the Volunteers) Association for kindly allowing us the use of the Clubhouse. The provision of a cash bar also proved to be a popular decision! The event was a great success with over 40 people present. Attendees included not only Branch members, but also many people with a general interest in this turbulent but fascinating period in Hong Kong’s history.
Stanley Visit with Past President David Mahoney.
The Branch organised a wartime walking tour of Stanley on 14th January 2018 to mark the visit to Hong Hong of David Mahoney, a branch founder member and Past President. On a perfect Hong Kong winter’s day our own Martin Heyes led the way taking us to St Stephens College (where many wounded soldiers and nurses were massacred on Christmas Day 1941), Stanley Prison (the wartime civilian internment camp) and Stanley Military Cemetery. As we moved through the cemetery members were able to relate accounts of individuals resting there as well as accounts of the fighting at Stanley which was the final stand of the British garrison in December 1941.The day concluded suitably with a few ales at almost historic Smugglers Inn – a regular haunt of the British Stanley garrison before the change of sovereignty. Needless to say, a certain amount of medal bartering was conducted over the ales.
The Branch organised a wartime walking tour of Stanley on 14th January 2018 to mark the visit to Hong Hong of David Mahoney, a branch founder member and Past President. On a perfect Hong Kong winter’s day our own Martin Heyes led the way taking us to St Stephens College (where many wounded soldiers and nurses were massacred on Christmas Day 1941), Stanley Prison (the wartime civilian internment camp) and Stanley Military Cemetery. As we moved through the cemetery members were able to relate accounts of individuals resting there as well as accounts of the fighting at Stanley which was the final stand of the British garrison in December 1941.The day concluded suitably with a few ales at almost historic Smugglers Inn – a regular haunt of the British Stanley garrison before the change of sovereignty. Needless to say, a certain amount of medal bartering was conducted over the ales.
