Strength
Enclosure 10.1.
HONG KONG ROYAL NAVAL VOLUNTEER RESERVE
and
HONG KONG NAVAL VOLUNTEER FORCE
ANNUAL REPORT BY THE COMMANDING OFFICER
1st April, 1939 to 31st March, 1940.
Officers,
Warrant Officers,
COPY.
and Cadets.
94
On 1st April 1939
On 31st March 1940. (Mobilised
97
(Unmobilised
61
Ratings.
Total.
186
280
119
216
167(*)
228
444
Training.
(X) Including 29 European Seamen Ratings.
Part I
(Period before Mobilization)
Training proceeded in the normal manner but oral and
-
written examinations were given at the end of each training period
monthly instead of annually as hitherto. All branches Executive and
Non-executive, Examination Service, Minewatching and Communications
(V/S and W/T) made satisfactory progress. It was therefore possible
at the outbreak of war to make the necessary promotions and appointments.
R. N. V. R. Status. In the Gazette of 14th April 1939 (Notification No.295)
there was published for information an Order of His Majesty in Council
cited as "The Hong Kong Naval Defence Order 1939" dated 2nd February 1939.
Thereafter was enacted Ordinance No. 25 of 1939 which came into operation
on ist. August 1939 (Notification No.608). Under that Ordinance
(a) Section 3. The Governor in Council may provide for maintaining
and using vessels of war and may offer to place at His Majesty's disposal for general service in the Royal Navy any vessel of war so provided.
(b) Section 4. Officers and men are now liable to service and training outside the Colony and its territorial waters.
(c) Section 6. Those officers and men who are entered on the express terms of accepting general service in the Royal Navy in emergency will form part of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve under the designation Hong Kong Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve and the Governor in Council may offer to place such officers and men at His Majesty's disposal for general service in the Royal Navy.