Hong Kong and the New Territories

The effect of this war on Hong Kong was extreme. It obviously affected the security of the Colony, but it had an economic affect because of a UN embargo on trade with China. Hong Kong was one of the main ports through which all those goods travelled to and from China. With the embargo, fewer goods through Hong Kong meant less work for the Harbor, and all the workers that depended upon it for their livelihood.

With the Communists on the border the British forces in Hong Kong were reinforced. I cannot recall any precise details of the British forces at the time, but remember amongst them there were several infantry battalions. These included the Middlesex Regiment, two Scottish regiments, the Cameronians, and the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, and some Gurkhas. Of the artillery there were the 25th Field, 58th Medium and 120th Mortar Battery, 173 Locating Battery and ourselves the 15th Independent Observation Battery, along with supporting units.

British Forces in Hong Kong

These, I think, made up the 40th Division whose divisional flash was a red or yellow cockerel on a black ground, and I have re-collections of a Chinese dragon as part of the forces insignia but this may have been for the Hong Kong garrison.

There was a small RAF detachment at Kai Tak airport, and several RN ships including frigates, destroyers, a cruiser and from time to time an aircraft carrier based at the Naval Dockyard.

My service in Hong Kong fell into three phases co-incident with the three camps at which our unit was stationed; namely Lo Wu and Quarry Camp (Ping Shan) in the New Territories, and Stanley Barracks on the Island. I have devoted a chapter to each of these postings.