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Hong Kong and the New Territories

By Admin-GF

The effect of this war on Hong Kong was extreme. It obviously affected the security of the Colony, but it had an economic affect because of a UN embargo on trade with China. Hong Kong was one of the main ports through which all those goods travelled to and from China. With the embargo, fewer goods through Hong Kong meant less work for the Harbor, and all the workers that depended upon it for their livelihood.

With the Communists on the border the British forces in Hong Kong were reinforced. I cannot recall any precise details of the British forces at the time, but remember amongst them there were several infantry battalions. These included the Middlesex Regiment, two Scottish regiments, the Cameronians, and the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, and some Gurkhas. Of the artillery there were the 25th Field, 58th Medium and 120th Mortar Battery, 173 Locating Battery and ourselves the 15th Independent Observation Battery, along with supporting units.

British Forces in Hong Kong

These, I think, made up the 40th Division whose divisional flash was a red or yellow cockerel on a black ground, and I have re-collections of a Chinese dragon as part of the forces insignia but this may have been for the Hong Kong garrison.

There was a small RAF detachment at Kai Tak airport, and several RN ships including frigates, destroyers, a cruiser and from time to time an aircraft carrier based at the Naval Dockyard.

My service in Hong Kong fell into three phases co-incident with the three camps at which our unit was stationed; namely Lo Wu and Quarry Camp (Ping Shan) in the New Territories, and Stanley Barracks on the Island. I have devoted a chapter to each of these postings.

 

My first view of Hong Kong and the New Territories as HMT Devonshire neared the coast on Sunday February 25 1950.
Gunner Flann aboard the HMT Devonshire as it nears Hong Kong in February 1950
A view from half way up The Peak with a tram ascending the tramway, below is Victoria with to the left center across from the Star Ferry terminal the Hong Kong & Shanghai Bank building.To its right is the open space of the Hong Kong Cricket Club grounds and away further right Causeway Bay and Wanchai. To the right half way down was the Governor's residence. Across the harbor is Kowloon and beyond that the New Territories.
Victoria and Kowloon
A general view from The Peak looking across Victoria toward Kowloon and the New Territories This was taken in August 1950 and two of the vessels lying at anchor in mid stream are HMS Unicorn (an aircraft carrier) and HMS Ceylon (a cruiser) that were to carry the first contingent of British troops from Hong Kong to Korea to form the 28th Brigade.
Gunner Flann again on The Peak viewing ships at anchor in Hong Kong, British naval ships, a cruiser and an aircraft carrier

This was one of the principal streets in Victoria. See the bustling throngs, all the flags and streamers on the buildings and across the street. The trams were four wheeled. 1st class passengers traveled on the upper deck, everybody else down below. There seemed no limit to the number carried and three conductors were required to keep order and collect fares.
Gunner Flann on De Voeux Street in Victoria, Hong Kong
Hong Kong Cricket Club with a match in progress in central Victoria, October 1950. Queens Road runs from left to right. On the other side are the Police HQ, Government offices and further right the RN Dockyard. The photo was taken from the grounds of the Cheero Club.
Gunner Flann at the Cheero Club taking pictures of cricket played in central Victoria, Hong Kong
The Hong Kong & Shanghai Bank Building, Victoria, Hong Kong 1950 Then it was the most prominent building in Hong Kong. It was located on the waterfront just above the Star Ferry landing. Either side of the main door there were two magnificent stone carved lions.
Gunner Flann photographs the Hong Kong & Shanghai Bank Building, Victoria, Hong Kong

 

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Filed Under: Chapter 6 - Hong Kong and the New Territories 1950, Part Two Tagged With: 1950s, China, formosa, fragrant harbor, Hong Kong, Korea, New Territories, refugees hong kong, taiwan

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Book Outline

  • Foreword
  • Part One
    • Chapter 1 – Preamble
    • Chapter 2 – 67 Training Regiment Royal Artillery Oswestry
    • Chapter 3 – 192 Survey Training Battery Royal Artillery Larkhill
    • Chapter 4 – Royal Artillery Depot Woolwich – Begin
    • Chapter 5 – MV Devonshire – A Slow Boat to China
  • Part Two
    • Chapter 6 – Hong Kong and the New Territories 1950
    • Chapter 7 – Lo Wu, New Territories
    • Chapter 8 – Ping Shan, New Territories
    • Chapter 9 – Stanley Barracks, Hong Kong Island
    • Chapter 10 – Korea, An Epitaph
  • Part Three
    • Chapter 11 – MV Dunera, A Happy Return
    • Chapter 12 – Royal Artillery Depot Woolwich – End
    • Chapter 13 – 880 Forward Observation Battery, RA (Airborne) TA
    • Chapter 14 – A Reckoning
  • Appendix

All Sections

  • Foreword – National Service Memoir
  • Preamble – National Service a Memoir
  • 67 Training Regiment Royal Artillery Oswestry
  • 192 Survey Training Battery, School of Artillery, Larkhill
  • The Royal Artillery Depot Woolwich – Begin
  • HMT Devonshire, A Slow Boat to China
  • Hong Kong and the New Territories
  • Lo Wu, New Territories
  • Ping Shan, New Territorities
  • Stanley Barracks Hong Kong Island
  • Korea, An Epitaph
  • HMT Dunera, Hong Kong to Southampton
  • The Royal Artillery Depot Woolwich – End
  • 880 Forward Observation Battery, RA, Airborne Territorial Army
  • National Service – My Reckoning
  • National Service, Notes and Comment
  • Welcome to Gunner Flann – A National Service Memoir
  • How to Write a Memoir: Creative Devices
  • The Royal Artillery Band Woolwich – Moving
  • Interactive Memoirs – The Railway Station at Fanling

Recent Posts

  • Foreword – National Service Memoir
  • Preamble – National Service a Memoir
  • 67 Training Regiment Royal Artillery Oswestry
  • 192 Survey Training Battery, School of Artillery, Larkhill
  • The Royal Artillery Depot Woolwich – Begin

Recent Comments

  • 192 Survey Training Battery, Larkhill - Gunner Flann on 192 Survey Training Battery, School of Artillery, Larkhill
  • Admin-GF on Foreword – National Service Memoir
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