LOCAL FORCES AND CIVIL DEFENCE SERVICES
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members receive a higher daily rate of pay and, where meals cannot be provided, a ration allowance.
The Royal Hong Kong Defence Force. The main units of the Royal Hong Kong Defence Force are the Hong Kong Royal Naval Reserve, the Hong Kong Regiment and the Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force. The Hong Kong Royal Naval Reserve, which in keeping with its United Kingdom counterpart dropped the word 'Volunteer' from its title on 1st January 1959, mans and operates two Inshore Minesweepers. These vessels, which are on loan from the Admiralty but operated and maintained at Government expense, were com- missioned into service with the Reserve on 21st June 1959.
In addition to the Hong Kong Regiment with the strength and equipment of an infantry battalion but with a lower establishment, the Army element of the Royal Hong Kong Defence Force consists of a number of Force Headquarters Units, which include a Light Troop (4.2 inch mortars), a Reconnaissance Unit, a Home Guard and other specialized formations.
The Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force is equipped with Auster aircraft and two Westland Widgeon helicopters.
There are also three Women's Services: the Hong Kong Women's Naval Reserve, the Hong Kong Women's Auxiliary Army Corps and the Hong Kong Women's Auxiliary Air Force.
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The Officers of the Royal Hong Kong Defence Force are found amongst its members, but there is in addition a small permanent staff of Regular officers and non-commissioned officers attached for training purposes.
Volunteer Service in Hong Kong began with the formation on 30th May 1854 of the Hong Kong Volunteers. In 1878 they were renamed the Hong Kong Volunteer Corps and in 1917 the Hong Kong Defence Corps. In 1920 the title was again changed to the Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps.
The Corps was mobilized, about 1,400 strong, to meet the Japanese attack on the Colony on 8th December 1941 and fought with the Regular Forces against overwhelming odds until ordered to surrender on 25th December 1941. In 1956 their action was vividly recalled when part of the old Colours of the Corps, which had been buried in December 1941 to avoid capture by the Japanese, was discovered by workmen excavating a building site