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LOCAL FORCES
Board and are operated and maintained by the Hong Kong Govern-
ment.
The Hong Kong Regiment (The Volunteers) is a reconnaissance regiment comprising a regimental headquarters, two Land Rover reconnaissance squadrons, one 'Ferret' Scout car reconnaissance squadron, a mobile infantry company, a home guard company and an intelligence platoon. The Regiment is about 700 strong and operates in its reconnaissance role with the Regular Army units in the Colony. It also plays its part in internal security exercises held by the Police and the Regular Army.
The Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force operates Westland Widgeon helicopters and Auster observation aircraft. During the year almost all government departments used the helicopters for flights to all parts of the Colony, including the regular Saturday morning 'Flying Doctor' service for the Medical and Health Department. Training of student pilots formed a large part of the commitment of the Auster Flight, and training in the internal security role, with the Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Observer Squadron, featured prom- inently in the year's activities for both types of aircraft.
There are also two women's services: the Hong Kong Women's Auxiliary Royal Naval Reserve and the Hong Kong Women's Auxiliary Army Corps.
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 on Garden Road. The officers who had hidden the Colours had died in captivity, leaving no record of where the Colours might be found. The remnants of the old Colours were paraded at the Annual Review of the Defence Force in March 1958, and were afterwards laid up in St John's Cathedral. Decora- tions were conferred upon 15 members of the Corps for their