Luxury – The Gun Club
What made this duty so attractive, apart from the scenery, and the weather had to be good to get satisfactory results, was that while on it our small detachment of less than 20 involved were billeted with 58th Medium. This regiment occupied permanent brick built barracks known as ‘The Gun Club’, why I know not, in central Kowloon. We found it amusing that they complained about their accommodation. It was the height of luxury compared to ours at Lo Wu.
The food too they got was better prepared and served in larger portions than we were given. This was due in no small measure first, to the meager basic rations we were supplied with. And second, being a new unit it had not built up the funds that the Naafi gave out of its profits, which could be used by established units to purchase food locally to supplement that which the army provided. At Lo Wu one was often very hungry.
The barracks of the 58th were but a short walk from the Star Ferry across the harbor to Victoria. Once we had completed a day’s shoot we were normally free and thus often got across to the Naafi run Cheero Club or the Navy China Fleet Club. At the latter we could have a bath, hair cut and get a decent meal, or enjoy the ease of a comfortable chair in relaxed surroundings and that we did not have at Lo Wu.
Lo Wu Pleasures
There only was one pleasure and that was swimming. This we did when a recreational truck was laid on once or twice a week to take us the 12 miles or so to Castle Peak Bay. It was a pleasure to be able to get wet all over. But more so to those accustomed to the rigors of the English beach and sea this was quite heavenly. For one thing there were no chill winds blowing, the beach was a fine sandy shingle and the sea was warm!
For ten fellow gunners at this time there was a particular escape from camp, including Frank Beames from 98 Squad and who had the bed next to me in our tent, these lucky fellows – they were decided by drawing the names from a hat – went on a 5 day trip as guests of the Navy. Frank went aboard a frigate HMS Morecambe Bay whilst it patrolled the seas around looking for refugees and hoping to catch some pirates. He had a grand time. Whilst he was away I had his job as Troop clerk, it kept me off fatigues but I did not like clerking.
Lo Wu Greater Pleasure
The greatest pleasure for us all was to get out of camp at weekends if not on duty. Often, but not regularly, trucks would be laid on to take us the 40 odd miles or so to Kowloon. But at least on one occasion we walked about a mile or more to a railway station at Sheung-Shui and took the train. This was another experience for it was crowded to capacity and more in both the passenger carriages and open wagons attached with refugees and all the possessions they had been able to bring with them.
Pretty accurate description, the plane you mention was a ‘Mustang’, after the radio station in Shum Chun.
Thank you John for those remarks and your interest in my story. It’s even more interesting that after sixty five years the event is remembered. It did too at the time make an impression. It all happened so suddenly and was over so quickly. Not something that usually occurred at morning parade.
It appears you have some knowledge of the incident, can you add anything more about it?
Hi John.
I have followed you account with much interest.
You have the facts.
Perhaps you remember the typhoon that followed almost directly after we erected the tents, and demolished the lot. Incidentaly, i remember that after the rain, while a mob of naked soldiers were trying to get some order, a concert party called ‘The Four Aces. appeared and were quickly ushered the Officers Mess to avoid embarrassment ( not ours, I think).
Hey ho.
John.
John, it is apparent from your remarks you and I served time together at Lo Wu, will you say in what capacity?
I can’t say I can recall you directly but in some manner your name seems familiar. I look forward to learning a little more about you.
I think the plane incident and the typhoon were two particularly memorable events at Lo Wu, though it’s probably also true to say the whole experience of Lo Wu is unforgettable.
And I’ve certainly forgotten about that concert party but I can’t forget the hilarity that ensued in course of the torrential rains and its consequences. Something along the lines of a schoolboy lark.
One other matter I have since learned about was the strenuous effort involved in manpacking all the gear up to the OP was subsequently avoided because mules were later employed on the duty instead of of us squaddies. Some had it cushy!
So glad you got in touch, and If you have anything more to add please feel free to do so. How long ago it all was.
My regards,
John.
Hi,John.
As far as I was involved in the in the “man packing’ exercise, the practice of using mules never happened, as it was thought that the animal could carry little more than a soldier and was not as docile.
John, It was after our time. It seems remarkable that mules were employed at all. Why use a mule when you have a squaddy?
Character forming yes, and it did us no harm. It makes me smile when I hear complaints from teen agers about some aspects of their lot today. As was said “…they need to get their service in..”
Please keep up your remarks and tell us something of your NS experience. You clearly retain memories of it.
Regards,
John.
Hi,John ,
I was a regular, a fourth generation ‘gunner’,Your observations as a National Service man are very interesting.I was sorry to hear of Tim Tate-Smith, I bumped into him in Moulton(?) in ’71,while I working on the Shale belt.Bill Hale.Captain Ret.and Major Tilburn Ret,have now gone, but I was lucky enough to serve with them later and they both supported me at my wedding.I left the Army as a W.O. Surveyor 1, A.R.I. working overseas most of the time, including seven years with the S.O.A.
My infrequent visits to the U.K. persuaded me that I would not live there, We now live happily in a small town in France, where I am accepted as a welcome foreigner, not the case in the United States of Britain. So now you have it,Take care,
John.
Very interesting John, sad about Tim TS-we were good friends and he was best man at my wedding-and delighted in Sergeant Hale making Captain well deserved and at which I am not surprised and Capt Tilburn, as was, getting his majority. He was a gentleman and respected us. I thought highly of him. As I did also of Surveyor Sergeants and Warrant Officer’s, accomplished Surveyors RA and good soldiers who set a good example to us squaddies.
Can you say a little more about your service and the gentlemen in question?
I’m not surprised at your living outside of the UK, the USofA has been good to our sons and to us and we could not visualize living elsewhere. I’m glad you are happy with your new life. As we are here. There’s something to be said for starting one in later years. What is amusing about ours is that one day we were residents of staid Tunbridge Wells and immediately on my retirement, of Montana. Different in so many ways!
You did inquire about Brian’s story. I’m sorry there I can’t provide the translations you sought but I can say its purpose is a placeholder for subsequent contributions. The most likely first one is of a Surveyor RA with 15 Locating Battery as it became, and his experiences in Korea.
I now realize you don’t have the same tale as mine, but we do have shared expereinces and if you would care to let us know about them there will be any number of interested readers. And, of whom I should be one. If so please let me know and I can arrange it.
It was so very kind of you to get in touch and I do so appreciate it.
And you too, take care.
John.