1854 -
disbanded
The volunteers disbanded when Stability in Europe.
1862 - Hong Kong Volunteers
In this year the Volunteers regrouped, In 1864, they
were called out to help subdue a serious outbreak of rioting between British
and Indian soldiers.
1866
- disbanded
The second period in arms lasted only another four years; enthusiasm again
diminished with the return to more settled times.
1878
- Hong Kong Artillery and Rifle Volunteer Corps
In 1878, they were raised again as the Artillery Volunteers and since that
time a volunteer force has been permanently in existence in Hong Kong.
1917
- Hong Kong Defence Corps
The volunteers were actively engaged in guard and patrol duties during World
War I when, owing to the recall of the British forces, they were the only
military unit left in Hong Kong.
1920
- Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps
In 1933, the volunteers acquired their first armoured car-Ford chassis, costing $1,500. It was equipped with an armour-plated body and mountings for two machine-guns. Later, four other chassis were
bought by the government the bodywork being constructed by the Hong Kong and
Whampoa Dock Company.
The original armoured car was scrapped before the
outbreak of World War II, but the remaining four all played an important role
in the Battle for Hong Kong in December 1941 .
1941
- Hong Kong captured by the Japanese
The volunteers, renamed the Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps, met their severest test in the bitter fighting that took place in the
crucial weeks before the fall of Hong Kong on Christmas Day. Out of the mobilised strength of 2 200 of all ranks, 289 were listed
either as missing or killed, and many others became prisoners of war. Some,
however, made their way into China where the British Army Aid Group was
formed to assist the Chinese Government in the struggle against the Japanese.
A further group made its way to Burma where it joined the famed Chindits
under General Orde Wingate. The services of the defence corps were later recognised by the award of 19 decorations and 18 mentions in despatches for gallantry and good service.
1949
In 1949, the Hong Kong Regiment were reorganized and became part of the Hong
Kong Defence Force, which also included separate
air and naval units.
1950
New regiment's headquarters are located at Happy Valley on Hong Kong Island.
1951
The new combined defence force was granted the
title 'Royal', and replacement colours were
entrusted to the care of the regiment as successor to the defunct Defence Corps.
1957
The services of the defence corps during WWI were recognised by the award of the battle honour 'Hong Kong'.
1961
- The Hong Kong Regiment (The Volunteers)
The role of The Hong Kong Regiment (The Volunteers) changed from that of an
infantry battalion to a reconnaissance regiment six British Ferret armour cars (equipped with .30-inch machine-guns) were
acquired. The regiment was reorganize to form a
headquarters, headquarters squadron, three reconnaissance squadrons, an
infantry company and a home guard company.
1967
The Volunteers were called out during the six-month disturbances in Hong
Kong.
1970
- The Royal Hong Kong Regiment (The Volunteers)
The naval unit was phased out and in 1970 the Royal Hong Kong Defence Force was itself disbanded-the two remaining
member units, the Hong Kong Regiment and the Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force,
officially becoming separate entities. At the same time, both were granted
the 'Royal' title by Queen Elizabeth, and the words The Volunteers' were
incorporated into the Hong Kong Regiment's title.
1971
Partly because the modern-day regiment had, since 1961, been organized and
trained as a light reconnaissance unit and partly because the original Hong
Kong Defence Force no longer existed in its old
form, it was decided that the regiment should have new colours.
So, with the approval of the Queen, the single guidon of a reconnaissance unit was presented in 1971.
1979
The regiment was called out on June 16, 1979, to assist the civil powers over
the problem of illegal immigration from China. At times as many as 130 men
were deployed in the border area for periods of not less than three days.
1980
In mid-October 1980, the regiment was deployed on the border for a week in
lieu of the autumn camp and achieved considerable success in apprehending 555
illegal immigrants; more than one per volunteers on duty. On 24 October, a
few days after the border tour, the Governor ordered a full call out of the
regiment in the wake of his announcement of the end of the 'reached base'
policy, to bolster the security forces in the event of a massive influx of
illegal immigrants during the following three-day grace period.
Since 1980, the regiment has returned to the border annually to relieve the
Regular Army, and will continue with this deployment by relieving the police
twice a year as from 1 992 onwards.
1991
The Regiment has played an important role in manning temporary accommodation
for Vietnamese migrants. The most recent Operation Midwife, on Shek Kwu Chau, lasted for 5
months from June to November1991. |