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THE ARMED SERVICES AND AUXILIARY SERVICES
They are administered under local legislation and financed from funds voted by the Legislative Council. These services gave in- valuable support to the police and military during the disturbances. Because of the demands made on them it was not possible to carry out the usual annual training programmes. Volunteers responded eagerly and thanks are due to employers for readily releasing members of their staff for volunteer duties.
Since April 1, the Royal Hong Kong Defence Force has comprised only the Hong Kong Regiment (The Volunteers) and the Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force. The Hong Kong Volunteers were first raised for the protection of the Colony in 1854 during the Crimean War. On December 8, 1941, the corps was mobilized, about 1,400 strong, to meet the Japanese attack. It fought alongside regular forces until ordered to surrender on December 25. Decorations were conferred upon 15 members of the corps for gallantry in battle and for later escapes from Japanese prison camps, and 18 were mentioned in despatches. After the war the corps was reconstituted as the Hong Kong Defence Force. It was granted the title 'Royal' in 1951 and the battle honour ‘Hong Kong' in 1957.
The Hong Kong Regiment (The Volunteers) has a strength of about 600. It is a light reconnaissance regiment and comprises a headquarters squadron, four reconnaissance squadrons (three equipped with landrovers, and one with scout cars) and a Home Guard company. The regiment is fully mobile, and its role is to operate in support of the regular army battalions, stationed in the Colony, with tasks which make special use of the Volunteers' detailed knowledge of the Colony and its people. The regiment was heavily committed during the year with internal security tasks.
The Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force, with a strength of 90, operates two Alouette helicopters and four Auster aircraft. Its primary role is internal security, and it acts in close co-operation with the police and military. Considerable assistance was provided by the HKAAF during the disturbances. This unit also aided in search and rescue operations and in evacuation of casualties from remote areas. It also renders valuable assistance by transporting government officers and important visitors to different parts of the Colony. A regular RAF officer, attached to the unit, received the Queen's commendation for valuable air service for his part in
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