THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT (THE VOLUNTEERS) ASSOCIATION www.rhkr.org January 2017 Honorary President s Message I am pleased that the Association is continuing to adapt to reflect the wishes and needs of its members as shown by the encouraging responses to many of the events organised. Long may this continue. It is with sadness that that one of our last HKVDC Prisoners of War, Jack Mitchell ISO, passed away in England earlier this year at the age of 95. The Association was represented at his funeral. Jack was a founding director of our current Association when it was established in 1993 and a keen support of the Regiment long after he retired. Chairman s Message At the beginning of the Year of Rooster, I would like to take this opportunity in wishing all members and their families leading a prosperous and healthy year. The Association Board will organize more activities in the Club house as to encourage more members using the facilities. The continuation of the Association needs efforts made by both board and members to keep the comradeship going. Though the 1st Mahjong Competition had fewer members to participate, the 2nd one will come up in July this year. Please continue to support the Association as what you had rendered to our Regiment in the past. The AGM and Annual Dinner were held on 2 nd September 2016 in Tsim Sha Tsui. The dinner was well supported by members and had many repeaters joined them. There were 4 directors stepped down, namely Benny Wong, Jane Ma Lai Chun, Ng Chi Wah and Tam On Leung. The four new directors were Cheng Kin Moon, Benny Owen, Gary To Chi Keung and John Tang Kwok Wing. After the new director board meeting in September, Mr. Joseph PAU was re-elected Chairman, Mr. Matthew Wong the 1st Vice Chairman and Mr. Wan Shun Shing the 2nd. The Association made donation of Regimental PR items for the lucky draw and so were the directors. Thank them so much as the lucky draw in the dinner was the highlight. Each squadron had their member s photo taken on the stage at the end of the dinner. 1
Ceremonies 2016 08 21 Victory Day Ceremony Hon. President Mr. Ron Taylor, MBE TD ED, represented the Association to lay the wreath. 2016 09 03 The Victory of the Chinese People s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression Mr. WAN Shun Shing, represented the Association to salute to the silent heroes. 2016 10 09 Chung Yeung Ceremony at City Hall Shrine Photo taken at the Cocktail Reception in Maxim Restaurant, City Hall, Hong Kong. 2
2016 11 13 Remembrance Day Ceremony at Cenotaph, Central, Hong Kong. The former Hon. President, Major Noshir Parvi, represented the Association to lay the wreath. Hong Kong Adventure Corps provided Sentry, Guards of Honour and a working party for the event. 2016 12 04 Canadian Remembrance Day Sai Wan War Cemetery The Canadian Remembrance Service at the Sai Wan War Cemetery was held on 4 December 2016. More than 600 guests attended the ceremony. Consul General made a speech during the Service. Hong Kong Adventure Corps provided a full sentry party. 2016 12 13 Nanjing Massacre National Memorial Day The Nanjing Massacre Day of the War of Resistance Against Japanese ASggression held on 13 December 2016. Mr. Joseph PAU, BBS MBE ED, represented the Association to salute to the War Victims. 3
Events 2016 11 18-20 Oxfam Trailwalker 2016 Wong Siu Wing As an annual reunion; the Volunteers keep actively assisting Oxfam in this meaningful event since 1997. As usual we provide manning right from the starting point at Pak Tam Chung, Sai Kung till the finishing point at Tai Tong, Yuen Long with nine check points in between, including as quarter master at Kau Wa Keng. The Volunteers maintain manning of the start and finish points, check points 1(jointly with HKAC), 8 and 9, water points 1 and 3, sweep teams and action and reaction teams; which resemble an annual assembly of our old friends after disbandment. The remaining check points are manned by: Police, Fire Services, Correctional Services, ICAC and Immigration. Since 2014 Oxfam added one early start at 0830 for the Super and 24-hour Teams, i.e. 5 starts all together; the latest start is at 1400 as past years. Moreover, there is a team of CEOs from various enterprises joining Leaders Against Poverty Walk which started at 0930, from Pak Tam Chung to West Dam and back to start point via Sheung Yiu Country Trail. This year the walk goes greener, no provision of paper cups all through the check points; but providing each walker with a steel Mug instead. This arrangement works well and minimized a huge amount of waste which helps environmental protection. There were 1300 teams registered, blessed with favourable weather throughout the event and good preparation by all parties concerned thus leading to the low dropout rate of walkers this year. Trailwalker is one of the toughest team challenges in the world, 100km hilly tracks. This year the Gurkhas strikes back, the first team is AWOO Team Nepal (S05) ) at 11hrs 01mins, second. Team 2XU (S52) at 13hrs 03mins) and third, Salomon (S46) at 13hrs 12mins. Thanks to the concerted effort and hard work of the volunteers, the whole event runs smoothly and successfully. We should keep up the spirit of Trailwalker and look forward for more helping hands and new faces for years to come. A Sqn at Trailwalker Gary TO All brothers and sisters of A Sqn provided the excellent supports and putting their hearts to help the Oxfam Trailwalker 2016 event. Missions were accompanied by A Sqn as well as others Sqns in RHKR(V). 4
2016 12 13 Government Secretariat Society Golf Day Kau Sai Chau, Sai Kung 2016 12 16 Christmas Party The Christmas and Family Gathering Party was held at Clubhouse commencing 1800 until 2230 hours on Friday, 16 December 2016. Members attending appreciated our Hon. President, Mr. Taylor s donation of a toast turkey that every one enjoyed the festive food. Hillside Badge Many members visited the Hillside Badge which is now surrounded by weeds and bushes. Grass cutting has to be carried out in the near future. Assessment on Refurbishment and repaint will be considered after the grass cutting. 5
RHKR Shooting Club RHKR Sport shooting Association That was the most active and reputable shooting body having various kinds of firearm shooting competitions in Hong Kong in 2016. ISSF Centre Fire Pistol Match Small Bore Rifle Match Full Bore Rifle Match Service Rifle with conversion kit IPSC Pistol Match IPSC 3 Gun Match PPC 600 Challenge Plate (Shotgun Match) Operation Mercury (Friendly match with SRAHK) Inter Club Matches with HKGC Visitors from overseas Mr. Clive Pearce, the last RSM, thanked those for looking his son, Edward, during his stay in Hong Kong. Please also note that they had celebrated their 25 Wedding Anniversary in Hong Kong from 26 November to 10 December 2016. 6
Proud to have served the Regiment WO2 (ret'd) Tony K Chan of RHKR(V) I recalled the moment when I walked into the RHQ in one summer day of 1972 and met by a foreign staff (PSI as known later) to attend the interview for my application to enlist as a member of the Royal Hong Kong Regiment (The Volunteers), it hit my nerve for the first time of entering a military barrack and who required me to read out an article from the SCMP in English which I had never done it before. Fortunately, I've received a green light and took back home a set of form which required to fill up lots of family details for sending back to RHQ for security checks; not long after I send the completed form back to the RHQ, I was being informed for the medical check at Canton Road Government Offices then I realized that at last I was accepted as a recruit of the Royal Hong Kong Regiment (The Volunteer). I was really proud of myself of having the opportunity to serve the Regiment. It really had change the rest of my life since the year of 1973 when I and other fellow recruits of Cadre 24 being marched into the Sai Kung Camp for a 14 days recruit training where I first met one of my good old friends, Mr Michael Siu Kwan-she (an ex-member of HKMSC) which our long lasting friendship are maintained since then. The Regiment didn't just offer me the chance of learning military skills and leadership training which I couldn't have been experienced as a civilian, I experienced the valuable comradeship and also cherish the long lasting friendships gained from here. I have served the Regiment in an active role for 22 years since 1973 until the disbandment in 1995 at the rank of WO2 and served another 22 years in the Association as the Clubhouse Manager; after this 44 years services in the Regiment and the Association, I have told to retired from the post of Clubhouse Manager in February 2017, but my pride of being a member in the Regiment and the Association will last forever. Throughout the years of my service in the Regiment and the Association, many comrades had offered their assistance to me, hence, I would take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude from the bottom of my heart to the Regiment COs, Squadron OCs and the Association Chairmen and Directors and all my buddies for their support and backing me up for what I have done. Finally I have to step down and send my good wishes to my successor who should be a suitable man getting along with the Committee in the future. Long Live the Regiment was a remark made at the end of the annual camp IS exercise at Shun Lee Estate to all of us by the retired Volunteer Mr Yeung Man our former Armourer. Tony Chan & Grandson 2016 Pass Off Parade 1991 7
The Association extended the heartfelt thanks to Tony Chan The Club house Manager, WO2 (Retired) Tony Chan Kwong, is retired by the end of February this year. May we take this chance to thank Tony his over 20 years to the Association and bless him all the best in the coming days. Coming Events Ceremonies Victory Day Ceremony August 2017 Chung Yeung Ceremony October 2017 Remembrance Day November 2017 Canadian Remembrance Day -- TBC Nanjing Massacre National Memorial Day-- TBA Community Events Hike for Hospice 26 February 2017 Oxfam Trailwalker 17-19 November 2017 TBC Major Functions The Volunteers Challenge Cup -08 February 2017 Foundation Day Dinner 26 May 2017 The 2nd Mahjong Competition July 2017 Association General Meeting and Dinner 1 September 2017 Christmas Party December 2017 Editor Johnny Choi Overseas Branch Australia Association 2016 The Australia Association joined The Reserve Forces Day parade in the ANZAC War Memorial, Hyde Park Sydney on 03 July 2016. The spectacular parade acknowledged the wonderful contribution made to Australia s military heritage by the veterans, who, when they returned, helped establish the new Australian army. The parade recognized the wonderful contribution of 1.25 Reservists of the three services who have served since the part time forces were re-formed in 1948 after WW II. 8
B.C. Association 2016 Ontario Association 2017 Major Events Forecast Chinese New Year Dinner Saturday February 11 ( 正月十五 ) MDVA D-day Memorial Service June 6 163rd Foundation Day Dinner May 27 Burma Star Association VJ Day Ceremony August 15 CNE Warrior Day Parade August 19 Battle of Hong Kong Ceremony October 28 MDVA Remembrance Day Ceremony November 4 City of Markham Remembrance Day Ceremony - November 11 HKVCA Battle of Hong Kong Ceremony December 2 9
Hong Kong Adventure Corps 2016 The Hong Kong Adventure Corps (HKAC) had a few busy months towards the end of 2016. The following are some of the major ceremonial functions and services taken part in by HKAC members: a. About 50 Instructors and Cadets attended the National Day Flag Raising Ceremony at Golden Bauhinia Square on 1 October; b. A Guard of Honour participated in the National Day Flag Raising Ceremony at the Museum of Coastal Defence on 1 October but the ceremony was unfortunately cancelled because of hoisting of thunder storm warning. Nevertheless the Guard provided a silent drill performance for about 300 audiences at the Museum later that morning; c. A Guard was provided at the Remembrance Day Ceremony held at the Cenotaph, Central on 13 November; d. About 20 HKAC members helped to run Check Point 1 at Sai Wan Village for Trailwalker 2017; e. HKAC provided a ceremonial squad as sentries at the Canadian Remembrance Service at Siu Sai Wan Military Cemetery on 4 December; and f. About 60 HKAC members performed crowd control duties at the annual Farm Fest held by the Agricultural and Fisheries Department each day from 31 December 2016 to 2 January 2017. 10