ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT (THE VOLUNTEERS) ASSOCIATION.

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1 ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT (THE VOLUNTEERS) ASSOCIATION December 2010 Message from the Chairman Maj(Ret d) Ron Taylor MBE TD ED As we look back over 2010, the end of the first decade of the millennium, we see can see how fortunate we are in Hong Kong. During the year there have been floods in Pakistan, a mudslide in China, a volcano in Haiti and many more events which have not had a direct impact on Hong Kong. Operations in Afghanistan continue while the hope is that North and South Korea do not plunge into battle. Hong Kong has also escaped the financial troubles which has plagued the United States and Europe during the year. We have much to be thankful and thankful that we are in a position to help others in need. As usual the hard work and long hours put in by Association members last month for Trailwalker helped to raise money for Oxfam. Likewise I am sure that the work for the Hospice Hike at the end of February will benefit that charity. Nearer to home we must not forget the long hours spent by many with the Adventure Corps. In 1995 how many could have foreseen their success during the next fifteen years? Next year in December will see the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Hong in which 215 Volunteers died in the Battle while a further 74 perished during the following years of captivity. In May a Memorial to these 289 members of the Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps will be dedicated at the National Memorial Arboretum in southern Staffordshire in England. The provision of this memorial is being funded by past members of the Regiment and anyone who has not yet made a donation is encouraged to do so now, by sending a cheque (marked on the back as for the Memorial) or by giving cash to the Club House manager. Any contribution however small would be appreciated. In Hong Kong we look forward to a prosperous 2011 and the Year of the Rabbit. The 65 th Liberation Day Ceremony The Victory over Japan Day Ceremony was held on 15 th August which was also the anniversary of the day the Japanese Emperor Hirohito broadcasted the news of Japan's surrender to the world 65 years ago. Coincidently, it was the National mourning Sunday for more than 1,200 victims of a 1

2 mudslide in Zhouqu, the National flag and the Hong Kong flag both flew at half mast next the shrine. Since this year was the 65 th anniversary, we invited a wider representation from Consul Generals, organizations and Government Departments which had had members participating in the defence of Hong Kong during the Pacific War. They included the Acting Consul General Mr Iain Lindsay from the United Kingdom, the Liaison Officer Mr Jeff Fearon from the Consulate General of the United States of America, the Deputy Consul General Mr Deepak Kaul of India, the Consul General Ms Doreen Steidle of Canada, Mr Ian Boyce of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, Dr Louise Law, the Principal of St. Stephen College, Prof Tsui Lap-chee from the University of Hong Kong, Acting Secretary of Home Affair Bureau Ms Florence Hui, Mr G Mitchelmore from the Hong Kong Police Force, Mr Raymond Tang from the Correctional Services Department, Mr Ken Wong from the Government Flying Service and Mr. Poon Sun-biu from the St. John Ambulance Brigade. The Hong Kong Adventure Corps provided the sentries to the Shrine and the pipes and drums to play the lament. The ceremony started at 1100 hrs sharp as usual with a 2 minute silence and ex-wo 2 Mr. Wong Chi Hung played the Last Post with his professional bugle performance afterward. The Consul Generals and representatives laid the wreaths one by one and it was followed by our volunteers laying the roses in three. After the ceremony, guests and volunteers moved to the club house for a reception. The President Maj (Ret d) Pavri used this occasion to present the very belated ED to Capt (Ret d) Chung Kin Keung. It is the second ED awarded to an officer after disbandment following that to Capt (Ret d) Benjamin Lee. 2

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4 Annual General Meeting and Dinner The AGM and dinner was held on 2 nd September and again at the Craigengower Cricket Club thanks to member Jimmy Yick.. Over a hundred members attended the event. The Chairman, Maj (Ret d) Ron Taylor, presented his annual report and the Treasurer, Maj (Ret d) PC Keung, presented the financial report at the meeting. There was one special matter arising for discussion and it was for the admission of the Government Flying Service members. Since we had a long history with the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force which is now the Hong Kong Government Flying Service, it was agreed in the meeting that all the GFS members can join the Association as associate members and the annual membership subscription fee will be the same with our ordinary members i.e. HK$200. At the meeting Dr John Chan did not offer himself for reelection as a director. All the other directors were reelected along with Mr. Kevin Chan Yiu Wah who was elected for the first time. After the meeting, members proceeded to the Club s dining hall for a Chinese dinner and the lucky draw for which the President, Maj.(Ret d) N Pavri had again donated a price. New PRI I am responsible to the PRI sales from last year and there are over 50 items in our list. Although most of them are left behind from the Regimental PRI shop, some of them are really very old and out-dated now. Therefore, it is necessary to renew those sold out items and put those out-dated ones as souvenir gifts for our annual subscription and annual dinner. We have now the new cloth badge, car badge, regimental polo t-shirt, regimental watch strap and the baseball cap with the regimental flash. There is also a totally new regimental plaque and it is believed they can attract more members to come back to our club house. 4

5 Chung Yeung Festival Ceremony The Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, met with the members of the Association at the reception after officiating at the ceremony at the City Hall Shrine on Chung Yeung Festival 16 th October. Ex-WO2 Mr Wan Shun Shing represented the Association in laying a wreath. Remembrance Day All attending volunteers were photographed at the Cenotaph after the Remembrance Sunday 5

6 ceremony on 14 th November. Major Cheng Kin Moon of the Hong Kong Adventure Corps was the parade commander for the Guards of Honour. Trail Walker 2010 Wong Siu Wing The Volunteers have actively assisted Oxfam in this meaningful event since As usual we provide manning right from the start point at Pak Tam Chung, Sai Kung through to the finish point at Tai Tong, Yuen Long with nine check points in between. The Volunteers continue to man the start and finish points, check points 1, 8 and 9, sweep teams and action and reaction teams. This resembles an annual assembly of our old friends after disbandment. The remaining check points are manned by: Police, Fire Services, Correctional Services, Customs and Excises, ICAC and Immigration. Certainly the GFS are always ready to fly in to rescue participants and also flying in heavy stores to Sai Wan. This was the first time that GFS was not called out for a rescue mission during the course of Trailwalker. 6

7 Oxfam decided to maintain last year s course; the course was changed in Trailwalker follows the old route at Tai Mo Shan after water point 3 along the paved road downhill to CP8. It also ends at Tai Tong rather than Perowne Barracks. Trailwalker is one of the toughest team challenges in the world. We missed the Gurkhas for the second time since the establishment of the Trailwalker in the 80s. The PLA sent two teams joining the walk for the second time and won the first and second places with timing of 11hrs. 59 mins and 12hrs. 31 mins respectively breaking their own record from last year! Furthermore, they broke the Trailwalker record as well as there are now two and a half kilometres more uphill walk after CP9 at Tin Fu Tsai instead of the old downhill walk along the catchwater to Perowne Barrack as in previous years. This year it was the first time we have two teams of blind walkers, in which there were two blind walkers in each team, they managed to complete the walk in good time. There were 1050 teams and 4166 walkers registered at the start with 86% walkers and 70% full teams completing the 100km walk. This year the weather was just fine that could be the reason of no rescue call for helicopter. With the concerted effort of all helpers and the fine weather, the whole operation ran smoothly and successfully. At last we should cheer up Charlie Lee Boon Pui, the lonely sentry at Gordon Hard who look after all the stores for Oxfam, albeit he could enjoy the splendid sunsets at Old Cafeteria beach. We look forward for more helping hands for years to come, especially at the starting point. Canadian Day The Canadian Sunday was held as usual on the first Sunday of December, 5 th December. We were invited by the Consulate General of Canada to participate and lay a wreath at the ceremony. HKAC provided the sentries at the memorial. There were 3 Canadian veterans, who had fought in the Battle of Hong Kong in 1941, with their families plus families of others who had also fought for Hong Kong. The veterans and family members later that 7

8 afternoon visited our club house for a reception. The Chairman gave them a brief introduction of the history of the Regiment and the President and some directors and other members shared with them a joyful afternoon with a tea and drinks reception. Health Packages The charges of the health packages provided by the Kinetics Medical & Health Group Co. Ltd are now extended until further notice. That is you may enjoy the same charges which were to expire at the end of this year. Just show your Association membership card and enjoy the benefits. Details please refer to the following link. Coming events 1. Christmas Party 17 th December, Hong Kong Battlefields tour 9 th January, Hike for Hospice 27 th February Volunteers Challenge Cup Race Night 2 nd March, Foundation Day Dinner 27 th May, Editor Bernard Yuen 8