In November 2022, I visited the Falkland Islands on a cruise. On a walk I discovered this bridge, built by the 25 Field Squadron, Royal Engineers in 1983.
On the Internet I found that they were based in Hong Kong in 1949, and that the Chinese character has something to do with the boxer rebellion in 1899-1901. A contributor to this website refers:
The Chinese symbol associated with 25 squadron does indeed come from the Boxer rebellion, and was associated with a group of Chinese called the "The Society of the Righteous and Harmonious Fists", this was a group who were intent on overthrowing the outside dominance of China.
He further refers that the Chinese character translates "fist".
Any information on this squadron and how they adopted this Chinese character is welcome.
Comments
25 Sqn. Royal Engineers
Apparently the symbol is based on the Chinese character for “fist,” i.e. the Boxers and the rebellion.
I guess that you could do a lot worse than contact the Royal Engineers museum in Chatham, Kent, at www.re-museum.org.uk.
Royal Engineers Museum
My apologies - that website should read: -
www.re-museum.co.uk
Re: "fist"
Thank you for this advice. I've sent them an email about this subject. On their website they claim that it may take months for getting an answer due to limited capacities for searching. So let's be patient and wait.
More about 25 Field Squadron…
More about 25 Field Squadron, Royal Engineers and the Boxer Character