29
CHAPTER 2
JOHN MACLENNAN THE MAN
A.
ANTECEDENTS
John MacLennan was born on 3 October 1950 at Nigg, Ross and Cromarty, Scotland. He was the second of three children born to Joseph and Katherine MacLennan. He had an elder brother and sister. His parents reside at Torgorm Farm, Conon Bridge, Ross-shire, Scotland. The owner of the Farm, Mr. A. MacDonald, is the employer of Joseph MacLennan and his eldest son. MacLennan described his family as poor, and would from time to time referred to his parents as "crofters".
2.
MacLennan attended various schools in the Ross-shire area, completing his full time education in 1969 at Falkirk Technical College, Stirlingshire.
3.
MacLennan joined the Stirlingshire and Clackmarranshire Police Force in May 1968 as a Cadet; he was confirmed as a Police Constable on 3 October 1973, when he resigned to join The Royal Hong Kong Police Force, which he did, as a Probationary Inspector, on 20 October 1973.
4.
Between October 1973 and May 1974, MacLennan attended the Police Training School at Aberdeen, Hong Kong. His results were not good and he was considered to have only limited potential. The Commandant of the Police Training School made the following assessment on MacLennan:-
5.
". . . Throughout the Course of his (MacLennan's) work has been below average and he has found difficulty in comprehending and absorbing the curriculum, but has made a reasonable effort in his studies... He possesses a stubbornness which if correctly channelled could be an advantage. He is apt to become overly concerned over matters not involving him, such feeling being engendered partly by concern over his colleagues and partly by his attraction for drawing attention to himself. . . His theoretical knowledge of weapons and riot drill is barely adequate and his practical handling of weapons is below the required standard. When given command he appears to be tense and nervous. His leadership potential is suspect. Accepts discipline as a matter of course. His performance in the field of Drill and Musketry is below an acceptable standard. In view of his educational background and Police experience, his examination results have been poor. His knowledge of professional duties being barely adequate. An Officer with limited potential. So informed.”1
MacLennan was then posted to Kwun Tong Division and he took up residence at Room 11 of the Inspectors' Quarters at Kwun Tong until 17 October 1976 when he went on vacation leave. During that time, he served with the Emergency Unit of Kowloon East, and finally with the Criminal Investigation Department at Kwun Tong. His reports over this period showed a consistent improvement. In recommending MacLennan's confirmation, the then District Police Commander (Kowloon), Mr. P. T. Moor, made the following entry on his personal file in September 1976:-
6.
"Mr. MacLennan is a hardworking, practical and level-headed officer with previous constabulary service in the United Kingdom. Despite a rather shaky start in the Police Training School he has made good steady progress since and has developed into a competent and useful officer. I recommend both his increment and confirmation."2
In his aide-memoire submitted prior to his leave, MacLennan indicated that his posting preference was Special Branch. Whilst he was still in the United Kingdom, MacLennan was notified by a letter dated 17 January 1977 that the projected posting on his return from leave was Special Branch. At around the same time, The Royal Hong Kong Police Force received a letter dated 14 January 1977 from the Metropolitan Police London requesting reference as MacLennan had applied for appointment as a Constable in the Metropolitan Police.
7.
MacLennan returned from leave in March 1977 and was posted to the Special Branch Vetting Section, which was then headed by Senior Superintendent G. W. Roper. MacLennan was in the Vetting Section for about two months. During that period he had access for the purpose of background reading to a file containing either names only, or material of varying degrees of reliability of certain persons, suspected, or rumoured, to have been involved in some homosexual activities.
8.
On 12 April 1977, MacLennan wrote to the Commissioner of Police tendering his resignation by giving three months' notice. In his Memorandum MacLennan stated that he "did not feel suited to life in Hong Kong” and “wish to make his future in the United Kingdom." After an interview with MacLennan on 6 June 1977, the Chief Staff Officer (Recruiting & Development) recorded on MacLennan's Personal File that his reasons for resignation were as follows:-3
"(a) when appointed to the Force in 1973 his intention was with the short-term in mind;
(b) with the ever increasing affluence and development of Hong Kong, the general environment has deteriorated;
(c)
has been offered appointment as Police Constable in Metropolitan Police and although this will mean an initial drop in salary, he will be home ground and in a more compatible environment."
1 See MacLennan's Confidential Personal File, File F(i) pages 92–93.
2 See MacLennan's Confidential Personal File, File F(i) page 96.
3 See File F(i) page 9.