ENG-1995 — Page 370

THE ARMED SERVICES

in assisting the government with the influx of Vietnamese boat people and was responsible for the guarding and administration of more than 7 000.

The Regiment continued to perform anti-illegal immigration duties up to May 1995, when it was deployed along the border and the coastline of the New Territories for its last, very successful, operational camp, in support of the Royal Hong Kong Police. In June, it held its final field training exercise, the climax of which was a Regimental attack on the hill near Fanling which takes its name, 'Volunteer Slope', from the camps which the Regiment held in the area between the World War I and World War II. Only in July did the Regiment become 'non-operational' and focus purely on preparing for disbandment - although even then it was able to send a team to the Territorial Army Skill-At-Arms Meeting at Bisley, winning the pistol match and the Women's Queen's Medal and placing fourth overall.

Disbandment Camp ran from August 26 to September 3, coinciding with the events to mark the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Hong Kong. The Regiment was based throughout at Gallipoli Lines, Fanling - a camp which the Volunteers had founded in the early years of this century. The Regiment formed one of the guards for the Liberation Day Parade on August 28 and, together with the Hong Kong Military Service Corps, organised a Tattoo and Beating Retreat on Stonecutters Island on August 30. After a final period of military training and rehearsals, the Regiment marched through Wan Chai North on the afternoon of September 2 with bayonets

fixed, drums beating and the Guidon flying in a public farewell to the people of Hong Kong. The salute was taken by the Chief Secretary, Mrs Anson Chan, and the Adjutant-General, Sir Michael Rose. In the evening, a formal disbandment parade took place at Gallipoli Lines. The Governor took the salute and the Guidon was laid-up at a Drumhead Service, before the Regiment, mustering 43 officers and 583 other ranks, marched off parade. The following day the Regiment mounted guard at Government House and, in a simple ceremony at midnight, its flag was lowered for the last time.

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