[
    {
        "id": 214991,
        "series_id": 26,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-rashkb-journal-engine",
        "series_title": "RASHKB Journal 皇家亞洲學會香港分會學刊",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "RAS-2000",
        "page_number": 87,
        "title": "RAS-2000",
        "content_text": "43\n\nshowed aptitude, they were given training, placing an unskilled man with a skilled man.\n\nOn 15th September, members of the 69th Company CLC, consisting of 5 officers, 14 British NCOs and 476 Chinese arrived and these were followed, on 10th October by 5 officers, 14 British NCOs and 476 Chinese of the 90th Company CLC.\n\nThough a large part of the Chinese personnel was absorbed by Central Workshops more than half the total number were used on other duties by the Labour Group HQ for work elsewhere in the Tank Corps Area.\n\nPrior to the Battle of Cambrai in which tanks were first deployed, the Chinese manufactured 400 fascine bundles and 110 sledges. Each fascine had to be chopped to the recognised length, at one time 60 axes were being used and each bundle consisted of from 60 to 100 fascines. For tightening the bundles, 18 specially equipped tanks were used. Between 15 to 20 Chinese were required to move each bundle, often through mud and in bad weather. Members of the 51st Company CLC were employed in this operation.\n\nIn January 1918, the establishment of workers was short by about 225 men, with no prospects of receiving technical reinforcements. This problem was discussed by Lt Col. Brockbank, CO of Central Workshops and Section Commanders and it was decided that, for those who showed a tendency for training as fitters and riveters, etc., would be given a trial. It became apparent that the average skilled Chinese excelled at repetitious work, being interested and not subject to interference. They were thus employed on salvage repair work and rough fitting on manufactured articles.\n\nWork in the Tank Repair Section was found more difficult until a squad of Chinese was trained specifically for one particular job, e.g. detracking, derollering, dismantling and assembling sprockets and pinions. The small track riveting shop was run entirely by the Chinese, with excellent results. The monthly average was 4700 plates from 4 gap riveting machines. When moved to Teneur, where there were 6 machines, output increased to 7480 plates per month.",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/dfo323lmgvd/RAS-2000.txt",
        "external_url": "https://digitalrepository.lib.hku.hk/catalog/nk328168n",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 214992,
        "series_id": 26,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-rashkb-journal-engine",
        "series_title": "RASHKB Journal 皇家亞洲學會香港分會學刊",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "RAS-2000",
        "page_number": 88,
        "title": "RAS-2000",
        "content_text": "44\n\nIt was considered that more rapid progress could be made with the utilisation of the Chinese [British] officers as they had technical knowledge and could speak the language. At a meeting at which the CO of the 78th Labour Group, Lt Col. Cline, together with all the Chinese Company officers, it was decided that 2Lt Carter be attached to the Works Office staff to administer the Chinese Labour with one Chinese Company officer attached to each section to supervise the Chinese labour. They were responsible, amongst other duties, for bringing to the notice of Section Commanders any coolies for trade training. This scheme produced better results in that the Chinese were continually supervised and also that they appreciated someone looking after their interests.\n\nIn March, 1918, a total of 248 Chinese were skilled at varying jobs from fitters, riveters, carpenters and strikers amongst others. Squads were formed for performing particular jobs such as detracking and changing engines.\n\nBetween January and March, under 2Lt Burgess, the Chinese were extensively used for the construction of the new workshop at Teneur. Under Captain Jackson, all cement foundations were laid, together with the Decauville Lines system and sleeper roads. At Teneur the Chinese performed similar tasks as previously, first on the repair of Mark IV tanks and then on the conversion and subsequent repair of male and female Mark V tanks. [see photograph no. G]\n\nAs a result of heavy demands in the Engine Shop during September and October, 1918, the Chinese skilled labour was increased, with a result that 24 big-end bedders were employed. These men considered themselves the highest grade and refused to work on any other job.\n\nThe Camouflage Section responsible for the painting of all tanks and the repair and manufacture of all camouflage material consisted of about 70 Chinese.\n\nAccording to Sir Albert Stern, a Malay donor, Mr Eu Tong-sen, who was a member of the Federal Council of the Malay States, offered a sum of £6,000 towards a tank, the average price at that time being between £4,000 and £5,000, but whether from his personal resources or as a gift of the Federal Council is not clear. A Mark IV male tank",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/dfo323lmgvd/RAS-2000.txt",
        "external_url": "https://digitalrepository.lib.hku.hk/catalog/nk328168n",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 215050,
        "series_id": 26,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-rashkb-journal-engine",
        "series_title": "RASHKB Journal 皇家亞洲學會香港分會學刊",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "RAS-2000",
        "page_number": 146,
        "title": "RAS-2000",
        "content_text": "102\n\nChinese riveters at work at Tank Corps Central Workshops, Teneur, France, 51st CLC. (by courtesy of the Tank Museum, Bovington, Dorset, 899/E1)",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/dfo323lmgvd/RAS-2000.txt",
        "external_url": "https://digitalrepository.lib.hku.hk/catalog/nk328168n",
        "rank": 0
    }
]