Notes from Henry Ching:
The Hong Kong Chinese Regiment was a late attempt by General Maltby to bolster his garrison with Chinese men in an infantry role. According to Endacott’s “Hong Kong Eclipse” there was no shortage of men who applied to join, but few met his requirements as regards height and weight.
When the war started the regiment consisted of only six Chinese NCOs and 46 Chinese other ranks (according to Barry Renfrew’s “Forgotten Regiments). There were two British officers seconded from other units, and three NCOs from other regular units.
The HKCR began the war guarding a ration dump in Deep Water Bay, and then was sent to the Ridge. Most of the defenders at the Ridge who died have no known grave, and this applies to the members of the HKCR. On the withdrawal of all units from the Ridge, the seriously wounded were left behind – they were killed by the Japs. Their bodies were subsequently buried but no individual identification was possible. Most of those who withdrew from the Ridge in small parties were not seen again. The HKCR suffered 31 killed or wounded, out of the original 57, but I think most were wounded rather than killed.
Many of the survivors of the HKCR made their way into China where they joined the British Army Aid Group’s China Unit. The China Unit comprised about 120 men from various units in HK, and they volunteered to go to India where they were formed into what became known as the Hong Kong Volunteer Company in the Chindits. There were 13 men from the HKCR in this Company.
Additional information:
- Sheridan mentions the HKCR at Deepwater Bay in his diary entry for 11 Dec 1941: " Some of the newly formed local Chinese Regt. have arrived as protection for the Supply Depot. A Middlesex Regt. officer and some NCOs are in charge. The Chinese have not had much training and it is debatable how they would combat trained fighters like the Japs. The Hong Kong Volunteers are of mixed races, British, Australian, New Zealand, Dutch, Chinese, Eurasians, Indians, Malays, etc. Quite a lot are attached to the Supply Depot as drivers, clerks, storemen, etc. But some do wander about in a bit of a dream."
- A couple of diary entries mention conditions at The Ridge: https://gwulo.com/node/13749/backlinks
- There is additional information about the Hong Kong Volunteer Company in Henry Ching's Occasional Paper #9, see http://www.rhkrnsw.org/publictn.htm
Photos of this organisation:
Comments
The Hong Kong chinese Regiment
Greetings David
I have just been going through Not The Slightest Chance looking for reference to the HKCR but so far have only come up with one mention that of one Chan Cheuk private killed on 20/12/41 but doesnt say where.
All the best.
Gary Liddell
Chinese Volunteers
There's a picture of some of the Chinese Volunteers here:
http://www.china-mike.com/china-tourist-attractions/hong-kong/history-timeline-part4/
Banker Andrew Leiper was exempted from fighting during the hostilities, but he was asked to do some evening observational work, part of which was with the Chinese Platoon. I don't have a copy of his A Yen For My Thoughts (1982) but if anyone does, this section is around page 55 and should provide some details as to their activities.
On the eve of the Battle of…
On the eve of the Battle of Hong Kong in 1941, the total strength of the British forces stationed in Hong Kong was approximately 12,000 to 14,000, including about 5,000 British regular troop.
In addition to these 5,000 British troops and other foreign troops (such as Canadian and Indian soldiers), more than 1,000 local Hong Kong Chinese joined the British regular and reserve forces, fighting alongside the Allies.
These Chinese were mainly assigned to the Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Force (HKVDC) and the Hong Kong Royal Artillery.
Besides combat troops, the British also recruited approximately 4,000 Chinese to form the "Canton Coolie Corps," responsible for military logistics and transport.
The soldiers who participated in the defense of Hong Kong came from various backgrounds—including approximately 5,000 British troops, 4,000 Indian British soldiers, 2,000 Canadian soldiers, and over 1,000 Hong Kong Chinese British soldiers, among whom were Eurasian.
The Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Force (HKVDC) fought alongside the British Army against the Japanese invasion, and 172 members of the force sacrificed their lives for Hong Kong. In 1951, it was granted the title of "Royal" by King George VI and reorganized into the "Royal Hong Kong Defence Force".
HKCR Partial member list
Hong Kong Chinese Regiment
The Hong Kong Chinese Regiment (HKCR) was a regiment that had started to be raised shortly before the Battle of Hong Kong during World War II. For some time the concept of a local Hong Kong infantry regiment had been discussed, and it was decided to recruit a solid core of potential NCOs, and train them up using experienced 1st Middlesex Regiment officers and NCOs to the point where the regiment's first battalion could be built.
The majority of the initial high-quality recruits (mainly from the New Territories) were passed medically by Dr Scriven, and training was progressing well until interrupted by the Japanese attack.
During the fighting, the HKCR was primarily used to guard military stores in Deep Water Bay, and also saw action at the ridge that resulted in a number of casualties.
After the surrender, a number of Hong Kong Chinese Regiment recruits escaped to China and joined up with the British Army Aid Group shortly after.
Partial member list
Mayer, H.W. A/Major (see Middlesex) Commanding
Chan Cheuk Private 2030 U Dec 20
Chan Chu Fan Lance Corporal BAAG
Chan Hon Kee Lance Corporal BAAG
Chu Chan Man Sergeant RE, attached BAAG
Grainger, Walter Harold Private (see Middlesex)
Ho Lai Pui Private 2011 (china)
Hodgeson Sergeant (see Middlesex)
Ip Kwong Lau Private 2049 (china)
Kwan Yiu Wah Private 2028 (china)
Kwok Wing Private - U 7.1.42
Leung Shui Ming [262] Private - U (20/25th)
Lee Lup Lance Corporal BAAG
Lew Ah Loy (George)
Lew Kay Sang (Alex) [263] Lance Corp.
Li Fu [264] Private - U (19/25th)
Lo Ping Luen Lance Corporal 2013 (china) UX [265]
Lo Wai Hing Private (china)
Mak Ping Kuen Lance Corp. 20011 Chinese Battalion Argyle
Ng Chi Wan Private (china)
Sunng Wong Lance Corporal (china)
Thong Po Hing Corporal 2002 (china)
To Wei Kei Private 2003 U Dec 15
Tong Man Chuen Private 2017 (china)
Tsang Shui Wah Private (china)
Wat Hok Chi Private (china)
References
Roses in December, David Stanford
Hong Kong War Diary