ENG-1960 — Page 317

LOCAL FORCES AND CIVIL DEFENCE SERVICES

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daily rate of pay and, where meals cannot be provided, a ration allowance.

The Royal Hong Kong Defence Force. The main units of the Royal Hong Kong Defence Force are the Hong Kong Royal Naval Reserve, the Hong Kong Regiment and the Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force. The Hong Kong Royal Naval Reserve, which like its United Kingdom counterpart dropped the word 'Volunteer' from its title on 1st January 1959, mans and operates two Inshore Minesweepers. These vessels are on loan from the Admiralty but are operated and maintained at Government expense.

In addition to the Hong Kong Regiment, which has the power and equipment of an infantry battalion but a lower establishment, the land element of the Royal Hong Kong Defence Force has a number of Force Headquarters Units, including a Light Troop (4.2 inch mortars), a Reconnaissance Unit, a Home Guard and other specialized formations.

The Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force is equipped with Auster aircraft and two Westland Widgeon helicopters.

There are also three Women's Services: the Hong Kong Women's Naval Reserve, the Hong Kong Women's Auxiliary Army Corps and the Hong Kong Women's Auxiliary Air Force.

The officers of the Royal Hong Kong Defence Force are found from amongst its own members, but there is also a small permanent staff of regular officers and non-commissioned officers who are attached to oversee the training.

Volunteer Service in Hong Kong began with the formation on 30th May 1854 of the Hong Kong Volunteers. In 1878 they were renamed the Hong Kong Volunteer Corps and in 1917 the Hong Kong Defence Corps. In 1920 the title was again changed, to the Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps. The Corps was mobilized, about 1,400 strong, to meet the Japanese attack on the Colony on 8th December 1941 and fought with the regular forces against overwhelming odds until ordered to surrender on 25th December 1941. In 1956 their action was vividly recalled when part of the old Colours of the Corps, which had been buried in December 1941 to avoid capture by the Japanese, was discovered by workmen excavating a building site on Garden