Page 144
Page 144
Dox
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
Printed for the use of the Colonial Office. June 1901.
28
94
SECRET.
No. 264 M.
HONG KONG.
Strength of Garrison.
W.O. No. 083/3837
Memorandum by the Colonial Defence Committee.
1. THE War Office have referred to the Colonial Defence Committee a letter of the General Officer Commanding the Troops, Hong Kong, dated the 29th March, 1901, asking for information as to the strength of the garrison to be permanently maintained at Hong Kong, and more especially of the infantry portion thereof.
The letter is printed as Appendix I to this Memorandum.
2. The garrison at present approved for Hong Kong comprises, in addition to general staff and departmental details, an artillery staff and district establishment of 4 officers and 15 other ranks, 3 garrison companies (21 officers and 600 other ranks), 4 local companies of artillery (13 British and 8 native officers, and 447 other ranks), an engineer staff of 4 officers and 30 other ranks, a fortress company (3 officers and -92 other ranks), a local submarine mining company (5 officers and 142 other ranks), the head-quarters and 6 companies of a British battalion (21 officers and 740 other ranks), and 2 native Indian battalions (22 British and 32 native officers, and 1,794 other ranks).
In addition, the Hong Kong Volunteer Corps provides a field battery with an establishment of 4 officers and 130 other ranks, 3 machine-gun companies (9 officers, 114 other ranks), an engineer company (1 officer, 29 other ranks), and an infantry company (3 officers, and 54 other ranks).
3. In 1885 the infantry of the garrison of Hong Kong consisted of only one British battalion, with an establishment of 893 all ranks. In their Memorandum No. 31 M, dated the 6th December, 1887, on Colonial Garrisons, the Colonial Defence Committee considered that two British battalions, with an establishment of 2,026 all ranks were imperatively required, and recommended that, if a British battalion could not be rendered available, a special battalion of Sikhs should be recruited for service at Hong Kong. The latter course was adopted, and the Hong Kong Regiment was raised.
In their Memorandum No. 74 M, dated the 12th October, 1896, on Colonial Garrisons, the Committee stated:-
"The two eastern ports of Singapore and Hong Kong are now more liable than formerly to attack, or are liable to more powerful attacks on account of:-
"(i.) The growth of the naval and military power of Japan.
"(ii.) The great increase of Russian naval power in the Far East.
(iii.) The larger garrison now maintained by France in Indo-China.
[679]
B
Page 144
Page 144
Page 144