Old Hong Kong-3 — Page 80

Old Hong Kong 昔日香港 All AI Reviewed

MILITARY

(Contd.)

Officers' Mess, Containing much valuable information about the early days of Hong Kong and the Second China War of 1856-8.

Permission has also been kindly given for the reproduction of several most interesting old drawings, and one of these is published to-day. It is a sketch which appeared in the Illustrated London News of July 25, 1857, and shows men of the 59th Regiment (as the 2nd East Lancashires were then named) as they were garbed while in Hong Kong. There is an interesting note accompanying the drawing, which reads:

"I send you a group of the 59th, sketched under Colonel Graham's superintendence, so you may be sure they are correct. It shows a most sensible way of dressing soldiers, this being the only place where the soldiers are allowed to wear pith hats; and very few in other places wear white. Colonel Graham's ideas are an example to all commanders: he is for making the soldiers as comfortable as possible in their clothing."

Colonel Henry Hope Graham, coming out with the regiment as Major in 1849, rose to be commanding officer while here. He appears to have tried his best to reduce the discomforts of his men's service, under severe climatic handicaps, with no relief for over nine years. But the terrible toll exacted by the local conditions, as shown on the monument at Happy Valley, will remain a sad reminder as well as a tribute to the fortitude of the troops who garrisoned Hong Kong, and established Britain's position out here, at a critical period of history.

It is intended to give part of the fine record of this regiment, as well as an account of its participation in the storming of Canton, in a subsequent issue.

Reference was made yesterday to the association of the Second Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment (now in the Colony) with old Hong Kong, at a period when it was known as the 59th Regiment.

Raised in 1755, this unit of the British Army was originally the 61st Regiment. In 1782 it received the subsidiary title of the 2nd Nottinghamshire, but it is as the 59th Regiment that the unit was best known and gained its principal honours of the past century. Early service in the East included Madras from 1806 to 1810, and the Java campaign of 1811 but its service abroad ranged from the American War of Independence, and the West Indies operations, to the Cape of Good Hope, and the continental campaigns of the early nineteenth century, as their battle honours indicate. It later saw further active service in India.

Coming to Hong Kong in 1849, the 59th were here throughout the Second China Wars in which they served with much distinction. They went next to Ceylon, and through the Afghan War (1878-80) covering themselves again with glory.

It was in 1881 that the Regiment was re-named the 2nd East Lancashires. Its service in the Great War with the famous 8th Division saw this unit again prominent in the fighting, and its fine reputation upheld.

The original colours were presented to the 59th Regiment while it was in Ceylon, in 1867, and were carried into action in the Afghan War, in 1880. It is believed they are the only set of colours in existence which have been carried into action. New Colours were presented by the King in 1924.

The active service record which the East Lancashires bear on their old Colours is epitomised in the following names. Cape of Good Hope 1806, Java, Salamanca, S. Sebastian, Peninsula, Canton, Inkerman, Ahmad Khel; and Corunna, Badajoz, Vittoria, Nive, Bhurtpore, Alma, Sevastopol, Afghanistan 1878-80, and Egypt.

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MILITARY (Contd.) Officers' Mess, Containing much valuable information about the early days of Hong Kong and the Second China War of 1856-8. Permission has also been kindly given for the reproduction of several most interesting old drawings, and one of these is published to-day. It is a sketch which appeared in the Illustrated London News of July 25, 1857, and shows men of the 59th Regiment (as the 2nd East Lancashires were then named) as they were garbed while in Hong Kong. There is an interesting note accompanying the drawing, which reads: "I send you a group of the 59th, sketched under Colonel Graham's superintendence, so you may be sure they are correct. It shows a most sensible way of dressing soldiers, this being the only place where the soldiers are allowed to wear pith hats; and very few in other places wear white. Colonel Graham's ideas are an example to all commanders: he is for making the soldiers as comfortable as possible in their clothing." Colonel Henry Hope Graham, coming out with the regiment as Major in 1849, rose to be commanding officer while here. He appears to have tried his best to reduce the discomforts of his men's service, under severe climatic handicaps, with no relief for over nine years. But the terrible toll exacted by the local conditions, as shown on the monument at Happy Valley, will remain a sad reminder as well as a tribute to the fortitude of the troops who garrisoned Hong Kong, and established Britain's position out here, at a critical period of history. It is intended to give part of the fine record of this regiment, as well as an account of its participation in the storming of Canton, in a subsequent issue. Reference was made yesterday to the association of the Second Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment (now in the Colony) with old Hong Kong, at a period when it was known as the 59th Regiment. Raised in 1755, this unit of the British Army was originally the 61st Regiment. In 1782 it received the subsidiary title of the 2nd Nottinghamshire, but it is as the 59th Regiment that the unit was best known and gained its principal honours of the past century. Early service in the East included Madras from 1806 to 1810, and the Java campaign of 1811 but its service abroad ranged from the American War of Independence, and the West Indies operations, to the Cape of Good Hope, and the continental campaigns of the early nineteenth century, as their battle honours indicate. It later saw further active service in India. Coming to Hong Kong in 1849, the 59th were here throughout the Second China Wars in which they served with much distinction. They went next to Ceylon, and through the Afghan War (1878-80) covering themselves again with glory. It was in 1881 that the Regiment was re-named the 2nd East Lancashires. Its service in the Great War with the famous 8th Division saw this unit again prominent in the fighting, and its fine reputation upheld. The original colours were presented to the 59th Regiment while it was in Ceylon, in 1867, and were carried into action in the Afghan War, in 1880. It is believed they are the only set of colours in existence which have been carried into action. New Colours were presented by the King in 1924. The active service record which the East Lancashires bear on their old Colours is epitomised in the following names. Cape of Good Hope 1806, Java, Salamanca, S. Sebastian, Peninsula, Canton, Inkerman, Ahmad Khel; and Corunna, Badajoz, Vittoria, Nive, Bhurtpore, Alma, Sevastopol, Afghanistan 1878-80, and Egypt. 656 Page 80 Page 81

Baseline (Original)

MILITARY (Contd.) Officers' Mess, Containing much valuable information about the early days of Hong Kong and the Second China War of 1856-8. Permission has also been kindly give for the reproduction of several most interesting old drawings, and one of these is published to-day. It is a sketch whcih appeared in the Illustrated London News of July 25, 1857, and shows men of the 59th Regiment (as the 2nd. East Lancashires were then named) as they were grabed while in Hong Kong. There is an interesting note accompanying the drawing, which reads: "I send you a group of the 59th. sketched under Colonel Graham's superintendence, so you may be sure they are correct. It shows a most sensible way of dressin soldiers, this being the only place where the soldiers are allowed to wear pith hats; and very few in other places wear white. Colonel Graham's ideas are an example to all commanders: he is for making the soldiers as comfortabel as possible in their clothing." Colonel Henry Hope Graham, coming out with the regiment as Major in 1849, rose to be commanding officer while here. He appears to have tried his best to reduce the discomforts of his men's service, under severe climatichandicaps, with no relief for over nine years. But the terrible toll exacted by the local conditions, as shown on the monument at Happy Valley, will remain a sad reminder as well as a tribute to the fortitude of the troops who garrisoned Hong Kong, and established Britain's position out here, at a critical period of history. It is intended to give part of the fine record of this regiment, as well as an account of its participation in the storming of Canton, in a subsequent issue. Reference was made yesterday to the association of the Second Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment (now in the Colony) with old Hong Kong, at a period when it was known as the 59th. Regiment. > Raised in 1755, this unit of the British Army was originally the 61st Regiment. In 1782 it received the subsidiary title of the 2nd. Nottinghamshire, but it is as the 59th. Regiment that the unit was best known and gained its principal honours of the past century. Early service in the East included Madras from 1806 to 1810, and the Java campaign of 1811 but its service abroad ranged from the American War of Independence, and the West Indies operations, to the Cape of Good Hope, and the continental campaigns of the early nineteenth century, as they battle honours indicate. It later saw further active service in India. Coming to Hong Kong in 1849, the 59th. were here throughout the Second China Wars in which they served with much distinction, They went next to Ceylon, and through the Afghan War (1878-80) covering themselves again with glory.. It was in 1881 that the Regiment was re-named the 2nd. East Lancashires. Its service in the Great War with the famous 8th. Division saw this unit again prominent in the fighting, and its fine reputation upheld. The original colours were presented to the 59th. Regiment while it was in Ceylon, in 1867, and were carried into action in the Afghan War, in 1880. It is believed they are the only set of colours in existence which have been carried into action. New Colours were presented by the King in 1924. The active service record which the East Lancashires bear on their old Colours is epitomised in the following names. Cape of Good Hope 1806, Java, Salamanca, S. Sebastian, Peninsula, Canton, Inkerman, Ahmad Khel; and Corunna, Badajoz, Vittoria, Nive, Bhurtpore, Alma, Sevastopol, Afghanistan 1878-30, and Egypt. 656 Page 80Page 81

2026-05-02 11:41:29 · Baseline

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MILITARY

(Contd.)

Officers' Mess, Containing much valuable information about the early days of Hong Kong and the Second China War of 1856-8.

Permission has also been kindly give for the reproduction of several most interesting old drawings, and one of these is published to-day. It is a sketch whcih appeared in the Illustrated London News of July 25, 1857, and shows men of the 59th Regiment (as the 2nd. East Lancashires were then named) as they were grabed while in Hong Kong. There is an interesting note accompanying the drawing, which reads:

"I send you a group of the 59th. sketched under Colonel Graham's superintendence, so you may be sure they are correct. It shows a most sensible way of dressin soldiers, this being the only place where the soldiers are allowed to wear pith hats; and very few in other places wear white. Colonel Graham's ideas are an example to all commanders: he is for making the soldiers as comfortabel as possible in their clothing."

Colonel Henry Hope Graham, coming out with the regiment as Major in 1849, rose to be commanding officer while here. He appears to have tried his best to reduce the discomforts of his men's service, under severe climatichandicaps, with no relief for over nine years. But the terrible toll exacted by the local conditions, as shown on the monument at Happy Valley, will remain a sad reminder as well as a tribute to the fortitude of the troops who garrisoned Hong Kong, and established Britain's position out here, at a critical period of history.

It is intended to give part of the fine record of this regiment, as well as an account of its participation in the storming of Canton, in a subsequent issue.

Reference was made yesterday to the association of the Second Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment (now in the Colony) with old Hong Kong, at a period when it was known as the 59th. Regiment.

Raised in 1755, this unit of the British Army was originally the 61st Regiment. In 1782 it received the subsidiary title of the 2nd. Nottinghamshire, but it is as the 59th. Regiment that the unit was best known and gained its principal honours of the past century. Early service in the East included Madras from 1806 to 1810, and the Java campaign of 1811 but its service abroad ranged from the American War of Independence, and the West Indies operations, to the Cape of Good Hope, and the continental campaigns of the early nineteenth century, as they battle honours indicate. It later saw further active service in India.

Coming to Hong Kong in 1849, the 59th. were here throughout the Second China Wars in which they served with much distinction, They went next to Ceylon, and through the Afghan War (1878-80) covering themselves again with glory..

It was in 1881 that the Regiment was re-named the 2nd. East Lancashires. Its service in the Great War with the famous 8th. Division saw this unit again prominent in the fighting, and its fine reputation upheld.

The original colours were presented to the 59th. Regiment while it was in Ceylon, in 1867, and were carried into action in the Afghan War, in 1880. It is believed they are the only set of colours in existence which have been carried into action. New Colours were presented by the King in 1924.

Old Hong Kong-3 — Page 80

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