Hi David. My comments on this keepsake letter- The bus your father refers too would be military transport/buses provided to take us down to and back from Kowloon as only the military were allowed to use -Route Twisk -(in 1957), this road shortened the distance to Kowloon by around 15 miles. On the return journey we would be picked up at various places along Nathan Road starting at the Victoria star ferry terminus, but missing these pick up points would leave us with no chance of getting back to camp within the curfew time so I understand your fathers concern as it was easy to lose your bearings on the first visit into Kowloon.
Your father mentions passing a A.F.V. Vehicle exam. this was an- Advanced Fighting Vehicles- course, for work on Tanks etc, this would make him an -A - stream Vehicle Mechanic ( I have a REME mate who remembers these things) and I understand his disappointment at not receiving extra pay, as a 1st year national serviceman our weekly pay was £1-11s - 6d , before stoppages of 3s 6d each week for barrack room damages, loss of kit, etc. So on pay parade each week we collected £1-8s (£1. 40p in new money) We were known as the 4 bob a day soldiers, although I seem to remember we did get an extra 10s 6d a week for serving overseas. Reading this you will recognise it was an effort on your dads part to save for those cameras he bought.and also the cost of sending a parcel home via airmail.
Hope this is of interest to you as it was to me reading the letter you uploaded. Regards Bryan.
Comments
The letter home.
Hi David. My comments on this keepsake letter- The bus your father refers too would be military transport/buses provided to take us down to and back from Kowloon as only the military were allowed to use -Route Twisk -(in 1957), this road shortened the distance to Kowloon by around 15 miles. On the return journey we would be picked up at various places along Nathan Road starting at the Victoria star ferry terminus, but missing these pick up points would leave us with no chance of getting back to camp within the curfew time so I understand your fathers concern as it was easy to lose your bearings on the first visit into Kowloon.
Your father mentions passing a A.F.V. Vehicle exam. this was an- Advanced Fighting Vehicles- course, for work on Tanks etc, this would make him an -A - stream Vehicle Mechanic ( I have a REME mate who remembers these things) and I understand his disappointment at not receiving extra pay, as a 1st year national serviceman our weekly pay was £1-11s - 6d , before stoppages of 3s 6d each week for barrack room damages, loss of kit, etc. So on pay parade each week we collected £1-8s (£1. 40p in new money) We were known as the 4 bob a day soldiers, although I seem to remember we did get an extra 10s 6d a week for serving overseas. Reading this you will recognise it was an effort on your dads part to save for those cameras he bought.and also the cost of sending a parcel home via airmail.
Hope this is of interest to you as it was to me reading the letter you uploaded. Regards Bryan.
1957 Hong Kong Army article -
Hi David, article about Route Twisk.
7th Hussars tank 1957.
7th Hussars tank passing Sek Kong village sign 1957