CO129-584-8 Hong Kong Naval Volunteer Force 16-5-1940 - 5-4-1941 — Page 31

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,