XN000022-1973-05-30 — Page 3

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Wednesday, May 30, 1973

Note to Editors:

The following item is embargoed for release until 10.30 p.m.

tonight (30-5-73)

NEW COMMANDING OFFICER FOR REGIMENT

*

Hajor John Heywood was tonight named as the new Commanding Officer

of the Royal Hong Kong Regiment (The Volunteers) the first volunteer

to hold the position for 22 years.

—

Major Heywood, who is an Assistant Director of the Urban Services

Department, will take over from Lieutenant-Colonel J. Chapman at the end

of October this year.

In making the announcement tonight the Governor, Sir Murray

MacLehose, said that in the past 22 years the Regiment had been fortunate

in having a succession of "excellent" commanding officers from the regular

army.

"The Regiment", he said, "owes much to its past regular C.0.'s

and in particular to Colonel Chapman, for all that they have done."

But he felt that it must be "greatly encouraging" for all

Volunteers to realise that potentially they have "the C.0.'s baton in

their knapsacks"

Sir Murray said that when Major Heywood became Commanding Officer

he would be supported by a Major from the regular army as second in command.

The Governor