CO129-584-8 Hong Kong Naval Volunteer Force 16-5-1940 - 5-4-1941 — Page 25

Page 3.

26

the waters surrounding the Colony in addition to assisting with the

control of all British merchant ships recently assumed by the Admiralty."

The foregoing was published in the glish and Chinese Press of

ong Kong on 30th August 1939 the day of the first Proclamation by

His Excellency the Governor.

Mobilizations.

-

Under three Proclamations (No. 8 of 30th August, No. 12

of 4th September and No. 16 of 26th October) certain members were

mobilized by name.

His Excellency the Governor entrusted to me the preparation of

a mobilization roster, which roster to nominate if possible only those

whose mobilization would cause least inconvenience to the civil community.

Such an emergency had been foreseen. All members were known to me

personally and a private assessment of their value in the civil community

in relation to my need for their services had been made. My need for

Senior Officers, however, out-weighed other considerations and that that

fact was recognised by employers is evidenced in that the mobilization

of any of my senior officers has never been seriously opposed.

Organisation of War-routine,

Commander W. N. Kingdon, R. N. (Retired) -

Officer Instructor was mobilised by the Royal Navy on 5th September.

Lieutenant-Commander J.C.M. Grenham, H. K. R.N.V. R. on his return from

England on 6th November appointed Cfficer Instructor.

was

<

Volunteer Officers, from the outset, organised the routine and

put it into operation. Personnel were brought together and housed,

H.M. S. Cornflower was removed to the Naval Dockyard Basin the Commodore

providing valuable berthing space for that purpose, launches were taken

over from the Admiralty, personnel supplied with uniforms on a war foot-

ing, records were prepared and personnel appointed and drafted to launches,

and launches to patrols, minewatching stations were manned, pay and

medical services were organised and victualling arranged. A copy of

"A.S.R.9" of 8th September 1939 is appended.

The Europeans and the Chinese Seamen Ratings quickly settled down

to life in the service. Some members of the Communication Branch, however,

did not take kindly to routine and discipline, suffered from sea-sickness

and were pretty miserable and difficult.