VOLUNTEERS
2067
Delving into an old chronicle the other day, I unearthed an interesting paragraph about the Colony's Volunteers, a corps which, it turns out, was founded just 71 years ago.
Regret was expressed in 1866 at the break-up of the Hongkong Volunteer Corps, which had promised so well in its commencement. It was stated, however, that a Volunteer Corps was nothing, was a mere mockery, unless it had a sufficient number of men to make a show on parade. It was also pointed out that in Hongkong, where the available portion of the population was so small, so liable to change, so engrossed in the serious labours of the desk, combined action was difficult of attainment, and a corps soon dwindled away by reason of deaths, desertions, and changes, until none were left but the officers.
As a result of the disbandment of the Volunteer Corps in this year, the Hongkong Rifle Association was formed; a body that later became moribund, but has recently been revived. However, while on the subject of Volunteers, it might be as well to give some extracts from the records available.
It should be noted that the Hongkong Volunteer Corps first came into existence in 1862, following a meeting of interested persons held in the Supreme Court of the time. Enrolment was open to men of any nationality, and the first Commandant was Captain (later Lieut. Colonel) F. Brine, R.A. The first officers, all of whom were elected by members of the Corps, were Messrs. W. Kane, R.B. Baker, J.M. Fraser, and J. Dodd.
5
A battery of Artillery was first formed, and in December, a band was organised. In the following year, a rifle corps was added, and in 1864, a squad of volunteers was also enrolled from among foreign residents of Canton.
In 1863, the Government sanctioned an annual expenditure of £195 for the Corps, on condition that there were at least 75 effective members. It will be seen that enthusiasm waned later, and the Corps had to be disbanded temporarily; and the records speak of dissensions as well, which it is hardly within the province of these notes to enlarge upon.
The presentation of Colours to the Volunteers here some few years ago was considered unique by many people, but actually, there is a precedent, for we find that as far back as 1863, there was a ceremony when Colours were presented to the Hongkong Volunteers. The date was February 16, 1863, when the Corps made its first public appearance in full array. The Colours were presented by Mrs. Mercer, wife of the Administrator at that time, Mr. W.T. Mercer, whose substantive post was Colonial Secretary (commemorated in Mercer Street, which runs from Bonham Road Strand to Queen's Road Central). At the same ceremony, the Volunteers were presented with a silver bugle by Mrs. Brine, wife of the Commandant of the Corps.
What happened to those Colours and the bugle?
VOLUNTEERS
2067
Delving into en old chronicle the other day, I unearthed an in- teresting paragraph about the Colony's Volunteers a corps which, it turns out, was founded just 71 years ago.
Regret was expressed in 1866 at the break-up of the Hongkong Volunteer Corps which had promised so well in its commencement. It was stated, however, that a Volunteer Corps was nothing, was a mere mockery, unless it had a sufficient number of men to meke a show on parade. It was also pointed out that in Hongkong where the available portion of the population was so small, so liable to change, so engrossed in the serious labours of the desk, combined action was difficult of attainment and a corps soon dwindled away by reason of deaths, desertions and changes, until none were left but the officers.
As a result of the disbandment of the Volunteer Corps in this year, the Hongkong Rifle Association was formed; a body that le ter became moribund, but has recently been revived. However, while on the subject of Volunteers, it might be as well to give some extrects from the records available.
It should be noted that the Hongkong Volunteer Corps first came into existence in 1862, following a meeting of interested persons held in the Supreme Court of the time. Enrolment was open to men of any nationality, and the first Commandant was 'Captain (later Lieut. Colonel) F. Brine, R.A. The first officers, all of whom were elected by members of the Corps, were Messrs. W. Kane, R.B. Baker, J.M. Freser, and J. Dodd.
5
A battery of Artillery was first formed, and in December a band was organised. In the following year a rifle corps was added, and in 1864 a squad of volunteers was also enrolled from among foreign residents of Canton.
In 1863 the Government sanctioned an annual expenditure of £195 for the Corps, on condition that there were at least 75 effective members. It will be seen that enthusiasm wened later, and the Corps had to be disbanded temporarily: and the records speak of dissensions as well, which it is hardly within the province of those notes to enlarge upon.
The presentation of Colours to the Volunteers here some few years ago was considered unique by many people, but actually there is a precedent, for we find that as far back as 1863 there was e ceremony when Colour were presented to the Hongkong Volunteers. The date was February 16, 1863, when the Corps made its first public appearance in full array, The Colours were presented by Mrs. Mercer, wife of the Administrator at that time, Mr.W.T.Mercer, whose substantive post was Colonial Secretary (dommemorated in Meroer Street, which runs from Bonham Road Strand to Queen's Road Central). At the same ceremony the Volunteers were presented with a silver bugle by Mrs. Brine, wife of the Commendant of the Corps.
Whet happened to those Colours and the bugle?
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