Private Sir Edward Alfred Des Voeux, 8th Baronet, was killed in action on December 19, 1941, at age 77.
He served as a private in the Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps's Hughes Group. He died during the fierce defense of the North Point power station against invading Japanese forces.
• Aged Combatant: Born in 1864, Des Voeux was exceptionally old for a frontline combatant and is widely believed to be the oldest soldier killed in the battle. • Title and Rank: He held an Irish baronetcy (the Des Voeux baronetcy of Indiaville, created in 1787) yet chose to serve in the militia as an ordinary private. • The Hughes Group: Named after founder Arthur William Hughes, this volunteer unit was tasked with guarding the Hong Kong Electric Company power station in North Point when Japanese troops landed on the northeast shore of Hong Kong Island.
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Private Sir Edward Alfred…
Private Sir Edward Alfred Des Voeux, 8th Baronet, was killed in action on December 19, 1941, at age 77.
He served as a private in the Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps's Hughes Group. He died during the fierce defense of the North Point power station against invading Japanese forces.
• Aged Combatant: Born in 1864, Des Voeux was exceptionally old for a frontline combatant and is widely believed to be the oldest soldier killed in the battle.
• Title and Rank: He held an Irish baronetcy (the Des Voeux baronetcy of Indiaville, created in 1787) yet chose to serve in the militia as an ordinary private.
• The Hughes Group: Named after founder Arthur William Hughes, this volunteer unit was tasked with guarding the Hong Kong Electric Company power station in North Point when Japanese troops landed on the northeast shore of Hong Kong Island.