1939-01-14 — Page 5

THE CHINA MAIL, JANUARY, 14, 1989.

ANNUAL DINNER OF HONG KONG NAVAL VOLUNTEER FORCE

REFERENCE TO THE DUTIES. OF THE HONG KONG NAVAL VOLUNTEER FORCE IN THE CRISIS LAST YEAR, WAS MADE BY THE COMMANDING OFFICER, COMMANDER J. PETRIE, IN HIS SPEECH AT THE FIFTH ANNUAL DINNER HELD ON BOARD H.M.S. TAMAR LAST NIGHT.

Commander Petrie said:

The Annual Dinner is a good time to look back on the past year. Three major issues stand out clearly from a routine background: the first, the September crisis, the second, the ex- pansion of the Force, the third, the condition of H. M. S. Cornflower.

In the critical last week of Septem- bor the Force personnel was detailed for minesweeping, night patrols and examination service in readiness for a state of emergency should it arise. It provided a test of the organisation which would mobilise the inner sea defences of the Colony.

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The only reason for that much- grudged decision rested on financial grounds and the need for caution in these dark and difficult times. The only undertaking that I will give in this matter-I am one of those who promise with difficulty-is that I shall next two months. review the question again during the

Vice-Admiral Sir Percy Noble, who followed, said:-

. Perhaps it is a sad truth that even to-day it is sometimes the case that only when a time of crisis arises or when a national danger looms ahead do we turn with sincere, relief and gratitude to the splendid body of Volunteers, who, from length to bread- th of the British Empire, are there trained and ready to act immediately- giving up their offices and their. pro- fessions for the common good.

The season opened with the Force at full strength under the old e5- tablishment. With the expansion of theforce in view, an organisation schedule was prepared in which the entire duties of H.K.N.V.F. in local defence were set out. From this schedule was computed the personnel required and, în October, the expan- "I am not being too generous when required and, in October, the expansion I state that these men are the back- was sanctioned. The new establish- bone of the Empire." ment provides for officers and ratings

for minesweepers, patrol craft, ex- Commodore E.B.C. Dicken, said: As amination service and minewatching this will be the last Annual Dinner branch and for the engineering, acof the H.K.N.V.F. which I shall at- countant and medical branches. There tend, I am grateful for this oppor- will be seamen ratings, telegraphists tunity to thank Commander Petrie for and signalmen recruited from British-his wholehearted co-operation and born Chinese and Indians.

to congratulate the Force on the great progress made during the time I have been in Hongkong.

Fifty per cent of the additional re- quirements in officers for the execu- tive branches has been enrolled. The necessary expansion in the Seventy-five per cent of the European Force indicates clearly in itself, the personnel for the minewatching branch need for your services and I am sure is in training and took part in Com-vour efficiency has been increased by bined Operations in November. The the presence a permanent off cer response to the appeal for Chinese Instructor from the Royal Navy. and Indian recruits possessing the

necessary qualifications for the com- In September last we were faced munication branch more than met with a crisis and it was then that the requirements. The force is now al organisation of the H.K.N.VF was composite unit capable of operating all tested out. The Royal Navy Was branches allocated to it under the actually mobilized and the next step. local defence scheme,

to be taken was the calling out of your Force. Training is afforded to Junior offi- marked for a duty and this, if nothing Each one of you WAS ear- cera as watch-keepers in motor torpedo- else, should bring home to you all boats and, as can be imagined, this the importance of each branch of training makes a strong ap-member to Colonial Defence.

individual peal.

The force has not yet a sea-going The change of status to Hong Kong ship of its own, a ship capable of ex- Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve is still ercising at least ten officers and forty not implemented but the Bill is in men in all executive branches concur- draft and may soon be enacted. rently with the minewatching branch on shore - in other words it is not Then members will even more fully possible to arrange a composite ex-be allied to the Royal Navy and form ercise with all branches of the force an even stronger link in Empire De- operating together as they would in fence. time of war, Authority has now re- cognised this need and we take counsel from our Honorary Captain and "lift up our hearts."

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The Hon Mr. A. L. Shields, Hon. Commander, said that in spite of all the "alarms and excursions" in a critical year like 1938 it is comforting

H. E. the Governor, in the course of to find that the High Command has his reply, said:-

been able to make arrangements for Your Commanding Officer has allud-lectures and tallers to officers of the ed to the lack of a sea-going ship and H.K.N.V.F. and also to give so many I will say at once that, landsman opportunities for regular sea training though I am, I need no convincing in M.T.B's. and other ships. that such a vessel is an essential unit]

in a full naval volunteer training "In thanking Admiral Noble

and

scheme. I will go further and admit Commodore for their very kind re- that it was with very great reluctance marks, I wish to express our gratitude that I struck out of the draft estimates for the great and active interest they for this year provision for such a take in our welfare.", vessel .aven so, that elimination was made with the express provise that Government would not necessarily wait a full year before giving the matter further consideration.

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Among the guests were: H. E. The Governor, Sir Geoffry Northcote, H. E.. The Commander-in-Chief, Vice-Ad- miral Sir Percy Noble, Commodore E. B. C. Dicken, Commodore R. R. Mc- Grigor, Colonel N.M.S. Irwin, Hon. Mr: S. Caine, Hon. Mr. T H. King, Hon. Commander A. L. Shields, and Hon. Mr. Leo D'Almada e Castro, Jr.

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