ENG-1992 — Page 342

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THE ARMED SERVICES

The Garrison and the Community

The garrison contributes to the well-being of the wider community in many ways. Apart from the high-profile events which highlight the garrison's presence, there is much behind-the-scenes activity which goes largely unreported.

When a typhoon threatens, the garrison automatically moves to a higher state of alert. Emergency communications are set up and troops placed on stand-by for any tasks they might be given. The troops are backed up by a wide range of equipment and supplies held in disaster relief stores.

The Royal Navy operates the only recompression chamber in the region to treat divers who may have re-surfaced too quickly. There is also a clearance diving team ready to assist civilian authorities in underwater tasks.

Local people bring a wide variety of skills to the garrison, either in uniform as members of the Hong Kong Military Service Corps or the Chinese Division of the Royal Navy, or as civilians in a wide range of jobs. Apart from supplying essential translation skills, they are to be found working as drivers, medical orderlies, teachers, secretaries, book-keepers, military police, guards, dog handlers, signallers or mechanics.

Just as the community plays an important part in the life of the garrison, the garrison itself takes an active role in the lives of local communities. In addition to participation in 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 concerning the young, the elderly and the disabled.

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Every year the Queen's Gurkha Signals provide logistic support for Trailwalker, when hundreds of enthusiasts walk the length of the MacLehose Trail to raise funds for charity. The popularity of this event increases year by year both in terms of the number of teams taking part and in terms of money raised which has risen to over HK$7 million.

The annual Navy Days at HMS Tamar attracted their usual full house and many thousands also flocked to Stonecutters Island for the Hong Kong Military Service Corps open day.

Garrison teams and individuals also play a leading role in the territory's sporting programme. Gurkha military engineers provided the design expertise and manpower for the construction of various youth projects, and several hundred youngsters attended camps run by the garrison to experience activities including physical training and assault courses, shooting, map reading, first-aid, hill-walking, canoeing and sailing.

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 heavily involved in the battle for Hong Kong in December 1941, during which over 2 200 soldiers and officers were mobilised. The Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps was awarded 19 decorations and 18 mentions in despatches for gallantry and service during the war.

Today it is a light reconnaissance regiment of part-time volunteers. Its role, though primarily one of internal security, also 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