Military shelters at Pokfulam Reservoir near gate [????- ]

Submitted by David on Fri, 06/10/2016 - 15:34
Current condition
Ruin

If you walk up from Pokfulam Road past the stables to Pokfulam Reservoir, you reach a barrier stopping cars from going any further. Walk on along the road and ahead, on the left of the road there's a public toilet, marked "E" on this map:

Map of military shelters near gate at Pokfulam Reservoir

There is a cluster of military shelters up on the hillside above this point. All except "C" are shown on the original map by dotted-line outlines (you can see the original map at www1.map.gov.hk). They are either side of a small valley, with a concrete path & steps leading up to them.

  • A - Concrete shelter
  • B - Concrete shelter (reached across a small bridge from D)
  • C - A small toilet block. It can be seen from the main path leading up from the barrier to the service reservoir
  • D - Several concrete shelters in a row down the hillside
  • E - Now a working public toilet, but I think they recycled one of the old military shelters to make it. It has the ventilation "chimney" that looks the same as those on other military shelters.
  • F - Mostly demolished, just some of the walls remain. See http://gwulo.com/node/32760

Photos that show this Place

Military Shelters at Pokfulam Reservoir - Structure A
2015
Military Shelters at Pokfulam Reservoir - Stairway to Structure A
2015
Military Shelters at Pokfulam Reservoir - Structure B and surrounding terrain
2015
See more photos of this place

Comments

Hi David,
I believe they are block house and splinter-proof shelters for the accommodation of HKVDC who stationed there back then.
Fred

Hi David. I saw that you had question marks on A, B and D.   Would these three sites be the spinter-proof bunkers previously posted here    http://gwulo.com/node/4337       http://gwulo.com/node/2673   and just mentioned by freddie?  ( The second link looks to contain photos of B, as it is shown across a small bridge as you mentioned)

In addition, are any of these marked sites the Pok Fu Lam PB you previously posted about? (   http://gwulo.com/node/13192  ) or just a seperate series of bunkers completely?

--> What freddie said about the HKVDC being posted here is supported by the fact that Dr. Solomon Bard was (as David and T mentioned) posted not far from this location at the Forward Dressing Stations. And he was part of the HKVDC.

Regards

As mentioned above, shelters constructed for use by the HK Volunteers. I've often wondered what might be inside those bricked up, but probably nothing at all.

I think it's disgraceful that the Government has not only bricked them up but also covered them in "chunam" concrete - if I have the correct terminology.

Thanks for the extra information.

http://gwulo.com/node/4337 - I wrote that one, but can't remember exactly what it was! I guess it's the toilet at location C, but it will need a return visit to confirm.

http://gwulo.com/node/2673 - I'd forgotten about Craig's post, but you're right, it shows this area. I think the first two photos are of location B, and the third one shows location D.

The pillbox is nearby, but separate. If you draw a horizontal line left from B, it's just off the edge of the map.

Regards, David

Hi David,

It happened that I also have a set of pictures of this site to share.  You will first meet a row of 3 shelters (Structure D) after running up the long flight of stairs from PFL resevoir road.  Then there is the bridge at the fork to structure B.  Go straight and further uphill is the lone block house (Structure A).  They are mainly living quarters as you can see only those hooks for foldable beds and webbing inside. 

Freddie

Military Shelters at Pokfulam Reservoir - Structure D at lower level
Military Shelters at Pokfulam Reservoir - Structure D, by Freddie
Military Shelters at Pokfulam Reservoir - Structure D
Military Shelters at Pokfulam Reservoir - Structure D, by Freddie
Military Shelters at Pokfulam Reservoir - Rusty Door
Military Shelters at Pokfulam Reservoir - Rusty Door , by Freddie
Military Shelters at Pokfulam Reservoir - Structure B and surrounding terrain
Military Shelters at Pokfulam Reservoir - Structure B across the bridge and its surrounding terrain, by Freddie
Military Shelters at Pokfulam Reservoir - Stairway to Structure A
Military Shelters at Pokfulam Reservoir - Structure A further uphill, by Freddie
Military Shelters at Pokfulam Reservoir - Structure A
Military Shelters at Pokfulam Reservoir - Structure A, by Freddie

 

B' Coy Winnipeg Grenadiers were deployed at Pok Fu Lam Reservoir.  The several bunkers (or splinter proof war shelters) would have been their Coy HQ area. A similar array of war shelters can be seen just north of Aberdeen Reservoir and this was 'C' Coy Winnipeg Grenadiers HQ area. There was no fighting around Pok Fu Lam Reservoir (unlike Aberdeen Reservoir) but 'B' Coy were involved in a major counter attack along Blacks Link to WNC Gap on 21st Dec 1941.  Philip 

Extra notes from Philip after a visit:

I am not aware of any HKVDC being deployed here. The nearest would be No 5 Coy (Portuguese) at Mount Davis. So I think all these shelters - the string of five north of the reservoir, and these, would be occupied by 'B' Coy WG ( Coy HQ and 10, 11 and 12 Platoons.

In WO 106/2379, there are positions listed as Shelters, First Aid.  Under a subsection is Collecting Point:  Pok Fu Lam Reservoir. The grid reference for existing maps (1939) converts to a position on Pok Fu Lam Reservoir Road, just past the end of the reservoir. I know of three shelters on the eastern side of the road at that point, so it seems reasonable that at least one was where Solomon Bard was based before his move to Mt Davis.