ENG-1990 — Page 348

THE ARMED SERVICES

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Navy have regularly won awards at international catering competitions. Teams, including Chinese personnel, are always among the prizewinners at the annual Bisley shooting event which attracts marksmen from all over the world.

Just as the community plays an important part in the daily life of the garrison, the garrison itself takes an active role in the life of the community. In addition to displays, band performances and open days enjoyed by thousands of people, smaller groups of servicemen and women support a wide variety of charities and involve themselves in projects in support of the young, the elderly and the disabled. In 1990, the garrison raised many millions for various charities.

On Sunday mornings scores of children enjoy sports on the playing fields of Stanley Fort, home of the United Kingdom battalion, while most of the fixtures played on the garrison sports field at So Kon Po involve civilian clubs.

Military experts help with training and facilities for the sports parachutists of Hong Kong; RAF experts advise and assess local mountain rescue teams and budding sailors are trained by men of the Royal Navy. Annual camps of such groups as the Hong Kong Sea and Air Cadets are regularly supported by the garrison. The range of different people comprising the garrison is a reflection of the rich texture of Hong Kong as a whole. It produces a unique blend, not found elsewhere among British Forces, and it helps to link the garrison firmly to the life of the community, thereby strengthening its contribution to a stable and secure environment for everyone.

Royal Hong Kong Regiment (The Volunteers)

The Royal Hong Kong Regiment (The Volunteers) was first formed in May 1854, when the Crimean War led to a reduction of the British military presence in Hong Kong. The regiment, then known as the Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps, was deeply involved in the battle for Hong Kong in December 1941, during which over 2 200 soldiers and officers were mobilised.

Today it is a light reconnaissance regiment of part-time volunteers. Its role, though primarily one of security, includes reconnaissance, anti-illegal immigration operations and assistance to other government departments in the event of natural disasters. It is administered and financed by the Hong Kong Government but if called out it is commanded by the Commander British Forces and forms part of 48 Gurkha Infantry Brigade.

The regiment has an establishment of 946 volunteers and 55 permanent staff, including nine regular soldiers on loan from the British Army, one of whom is the Commanding Officer. The volunteers come from all walks of life and are of various nationalities, although over 97 per cent are Chinese. In May, a total of 131 recruits, of which 21 were female, successfully completed six months' basic training.

The regiment is composed of four reconnaissance squadrons, a home guard squadron, training squadron and headquarters squadron. In addition, a women's troop with a strength of 60 volunteers provides support in various operational duties as searchers and interpreters. The regiment also runs a junior leaders' corps of 300 boys, aged from 14 to 17, training in youth activities and leadership.

The training commitment is two evenings and one weekend each month as well as centrally-organised regimental training, such as military courses, regimental camps and exercises. The camps, highlight of the year's training, normally take place over eight days