THE ARMED SERVICES
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behind-the-scenes activity which goes largely unreported. When a typhoon threatens, the garrison automatically moves to a higher state of alert. Emergency communications are set up and troops placed on stand-by for any tasks they might be given. The troops are backed up by a wide range of equipment and supplies held in disaster relief stores.
The Royal Navy operates the only recompression chamber in the region to treat divers who may have surfaced too quickly. There is also a Clearance Diving Team ready to assist the civil authorities in underwater tasks.
Local people bring a wide variety of skills to the garrison, either in uniform as members. of the Hong Kong Military Service Corps or the Chinese Division of the Royal Navy, or as civilians in a wide range of jobs. Apart from supplying essential translation skills, they are to be found working as drivers, medical orderlies, teachers, secretaries, book-keepers, Military Police, guards, dog-handlers, signallers or mechanics.
Just as the community plays an important part in the life of the garrison, the garrison itself takes an active role in the life of the local people. In addition to participation in displays, band performances and open days enjoyed by thousands of people, smaller groups of servicemen and women support a wide variety of charities and involve themselves in projects concerning the young, the elderly and the disabled.
Every year the Queen's Gurkha Signals provide logistic support for Trailwalker, when hundreds of enthusiasts walk the length of the MacLehose Trail to raise funds for charity.
The Gurkha military engineers provided the design expertise and manpower for the construction of various youth projects such as a climbing wall for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme. Several hundred youngsters attended camps run by the military to experience activities including physical training and assault courses, shooting, map reading, first-aid, hill walking, canoeing and sailing.
When the 3rd International Abilympics event was held in Hong Kong in 1991, to mark the end of the Decade of the Disabled, Chinese and Gurkha soldiers of the garrison provided much of the manpower to get the world's longest dancing dragon (nearly one kilometre from head to tail) in motion for a colourful ceremony. The Army Workshop at Sek Kong built and installed ramps to provide wheelchair access at locations around the territory for many of the competitors at this international event.
Royal Hong Kong Regiment (The Volunteers)
The Royal Hong Kong Regiment (The Volunteers) was first formed in May 1854, when the Crimean War led to a reduction of the British military presence in Hong Kong. The regiment, then known as the Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps, was heavily involved in the battle for Hong Kong in December 1941, during which over 2 200 soldiers and officers were mobilised. The Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps was awarded 19 decorations and 18 mentions in despatches for gallantry and service during the war.
Today it is a light reconnaissance regiment of part-time volunteers. Its role, though primarily one of security, includes reconnaissance, anti-illegal immigration operations and assistance to other government departments in the event of natural disasters. It is administered and financed by the Hong Kong Government but if called out it is commanded by Commander British Forces and forms part of 48 Gurkha Infantry Brigade. The present Honorary Colonel of the Regiment is the Chief Secretary, Sir David Ford.
The regiment has an establishment of 946 volunteers and 55 permanent staff, including 10 regular soldiers on loan from the British Army, one of whom is the Commanding
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