CONFIDENTIAL.
Colonial Secretary's Office,
Hong Kong.
12th March, 1936.
bp bp
AN INVITATION TO VOLUNTEER SERVICE.
His Excellency the Governor wishes it to be known that
he regards it as the duty of every able-bodied British-born man
of suitable age to undergo training which will qualify him to
take part in the most effective manner possible in the defence of the Colony, should the necessity arise.
In the event of war or other grave emergency, the Govern-
ment has power to assign to any individual the duty which he is to carry out, but, owing to the frequent changes of employment
and periodical absences on leave of most Europeans in this Colony, it is impossible to tell beforehand what any man's actual
task may be when the emergency arises. He may be required to
carry out some administrative duty for which he is, by profession
or employment, already fully-trained or he may be required to take
his place in the fighting line.
The Volunteer Force forms an integral part of the first
line troops. In this respect it differs radically from the
Territorial Army at home, which can rely upon having a reasonable
time for preparation after the outbreak of war. In this Colony
no such time will be available, and it is, therefore, essential
that every male British-born inhabitant of this colony who is of fighting age should ensure that he is fit to take his place in the fighting line should that duty be required of him.
The appendix to this invitation gives particulars of the units of the Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps and some particulars of the conditions of membership of the Force.
Naval
Particulars regarding the Hong Kong/Volunteer Force
can be obtained from the Commanding Officer by those interested.
By Command,
39
W. T. SOUTHORN
Colonial Secretary.