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ANNEX A TO COS 1252/5/4/68
Continued)
13. Married Men. CINCFE has stated that Hong Kong is not a good accompanied station for junior ranks, many of whose families live in sub-standard over-crowded accommodation. However, there have been no cases of families applying to return to the United Kingdom on anticipated passages because they are unhappy or because living conditions are intolerable. Accompanied service overseas is generally popular with soldiers and families, and opportunities for such service are rapidly diminishing. Separation is often the cause of serious domestic problems, though married men and their families normally accept it if it is unavoidable on oper- ational grounds or because suitable accommodation is lacking. As there were, even at the height of last year's disturbances, no deliberate attacks on families in Hong Kong, it would be very difficult to explain to officers and soldiers that a new policy was required. It would be particularly difficult to justify the change if Headquarter and Garrison troops, and those on the Island, were accompanied. This could only lead to resentment and a lowering of morale. Any change in policy could have a harmful effect on recruiting and re- engagements of married men which are already falling off. It is important to remember that married men fill most key appointments in units. Furthermore, it is unrealistic to expect that a decision to change to unaccompanied service, once taken, could be reversed later.
14. Families. Families in the United Kingdom and BAOR would face not only separation but also additional moves. The families of some units would be in three different locations within one year. This would be most unsettling and could seriously affect childrens' education.
Accommodation
15. Hong Kong. The change to unaccompanied tours would
mean:
16.
a. There would be no requirement to convert Gurkha married quarters for British use.
b.
There would be a reduction in the number of new married quarters required,
United Kingdom. Married quarters would be required in the United Kingdon for the families of unaccompanied units in Hong Kong during the nine months separation period. The turnover rate and administration of families would present difficulties and it would be necessary to retain a barrack complex including married quarters with rear party arrangements for each unaccompanied unit.
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