No.172.C/40.
Enclosure to 2.
COMMODORE'S OFFICE,
HONGKONG.
11th April, 1940.
32
Your Excellency,
I have the honour to submit for Your Excellency's
information the report of the Commanding Officer, Hong Kong
Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, for the year ended 31st March
1940.
2.
The year has been rendered chiefly notable by the
outbreak of war between Great Britain and France on the one hand
and Germany on the other, which, coinciding with the occupation
of the border region of the New Territories by Japanese troops,
caused increase of tension locally. As a result, a very
considerable portion of the Hong Kong Royal Naval Volunteer
Reserve was mobilised, partly as a measure of general prepared-
ness and to ensure a better surveillance of the waters surround-
ing the Colony, and partly to assist in the control of British
Merchant ships.
3.
Although the past seven months have not seen the tide
of war approach near the Colony, so that in ill-informed quarters
the work of the Hong Kong Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve may be
considered of little value, yet it has contributed directly and
in no small measure to the Imperial War effort in two important
factors, firstly, by adding to the security of the Fortress of
Hong Kong, and, secondly, by relieving Active Service officers
and men, in order that they may proceed to the United Kingdom
for service in the Fleet in home waters.
4.
It is of interest to record that the mobilization of
the Force, and the organization of its daily routine, have been
His Excellency the Governor
and Commander-in-Chief,
HONG KONG,