MILITARY
(Contd.)
The 95th Regiment, which was presented with new Colours in Hong Kong in 1848 (see 8-7-33) is now the Second Battalion of the Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment).
"Some years ago, when Murray Battery was being removed in order to make room for the building which now houses various sub-departments of the Public Works Department, I noticed some old boundary stones, marked 'B O 40,' and I remember trying to persuade the then Director of Public Works, Mr. Chatham, that the above initials B O stood, phonetically, for Building Authority. He, however, repudiated that frivolous suggestion and said that possibly B O might stand for Board of Ordnance. Perhaps the Military Authorities, by looking up their old 1840 records, can clear up the point.
Brief reference was made yesterday (22-8-33) to an old military map which showed 'The Albany' in existence and marked as barracks. I have been able, through the courtesy of the Land Office, to make a close study of this map, in reality a 'Plan of the Cantonment of Victoria', drawn in the 'Royal Engineer Office' on September 13, 1853. The plan bears the signatures of the then Governor, Sir S. G. Bonham (after whom we have Bonham Road), Captain W. E. Delvas Broughton, Commanding the Royal Engineers, and Mr. Charles St. George Cleverly, the Surveyor General (commemorated in Cleverly Street between Connaught Road and Queen's Road).
Taking this plan from west to east, we have the Albany Barracks (probably quarters for officers) below that is marked Murray Battery (where the P.W.D. office extension is to-day, hence Battery Path), nearby the Colonial Offices (on the present site, completed in 1848), and the Cathedral (built in 1848-48). Further to the east is shown the Major-General's Quarters, on the present site, with the Brigade Offices a little further back. Lower down we see Murray Barracks, the same site as to-day, with the General Parade Ground (now known as Murray Parade Ground) adjoining.
Across the road, where the Naval Headquarters offices are now located, is the Main Guard House, and further east, on the land now included in the Naval Yard, we have the North Barracks, the Old Commissariat Yard, the Old Arsenal Yard, and the New Commissariat. Next comes the former Military Hospital (now Wellington Barracks), with Wellington Battery on the seafront.
Across the road is shown the Ordnance Store (same site as to-day) with Ordnance Clerk's Quarters some way back up the hillside. To the east of the store is shown the Native Hospital, with magazines (same site as to-day) a little further in.
To return to the seaward side of the road, we have the New Arsenal Yard, which stood on the same area as at the present time, with an East Guard House to the east of it. This brings us to the Arsenal Street corner, and to the end of the Military Lands of 1853.
The conclusion to be arrived at is that 'The Albany' was built at the same time the other military premises were erected, and the date is probably some time in the late Forties. Prior to that, for several years after the occupation of the Colony, great difficulty was experienced in obtaining suitable quarters for the troops, and temporary barracks were used at West Point, while for a time an inn was rented as quarters for the General in Command (see 8-7-33). However, we know that barracks were built in the centre of the town in 1842, at the same time that military quarters were erected at Stanley and Aberdeen, so part at least of the present military premises must date back to the early Forties.
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