Many of the peasants aboard had vegetables and produce to sell including pigs in baskets in the markets in Kowloon and Hong Kong. We traveled most comfortably on the steps than in the coaches, the trains did not travel fast, and on arrival both the passengers and possessions went out of the windows. More often than not we used the trucks even though returning at night in the back of a truck especially if it was raining was not the most comfortable means of travel. As the journey was about 2 hours, and we had to be back by 2359 hours, we usually left Kowloon before 10 pm.
Victoria
Once at Kowloon we invariably made for Victoria, crossing on the Star Ferries. Europeans and the better kind of Chinese traveled 1st class on the top deck, the coolies, bags and baggage on the lower decks. The trams in Victoria were similarly segregated.
Approaching Victoria the first thing one saw from the water was the imposing Hong Kong & Shanghai Bank with its stone lions either side of the main entrance just beyond the ferry terminal. The smaller commercial buildings around it were overwhelmed by this symbol of British imperialism. To one side of it in an equally prominent location was another typical English institution, the cricket ground of the Hong Kong Cricket Club. To the right was the business and shopping area of Central District along Queens Road, above which Government House sat on the lower level of the Peak. To the left was Causeway Bay and the Chinese district of Wanchai.
Servicemen’s Clubs
Victoria was home to two servicemen clubs. The Cheero Club, a popular and overcrowded place in temporary buildings right in the center above the cricket ground run by Naafi, and the China Fleet Club in a large white permanent building out toward Wanchai and HMS Tamar the naval dockyard. This was long established and more like the Union Jack Clubs in the UK. While principally for the Navy we were always welcome. It was less crowded and had better facilities.
These facilities included the two most important to us, hot baths and decent food. An added attraction was sitting at a properly laid table with waiter service. Compared to the Cheero Club’s canteen, these were absolute luxuries. One could also get your hair cut, shop, make reservations for the cinema, be entertained of an evening – invariably housey/housey-tombola, get a drink or sit in an armchair, there were none in our camps, to relax, read and write.
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.