Royal Warwickshire 1961 queens hill camp, fanling

It's worth typing out the text from the stone into a comment here - then if one of these men is searching for their name in Google there is a chance they will find this page.

I'm not sure about the date of the changeover. Wikipedia, with sources (The Times of London mainly), claims that they became the Royal Warwickshire Fusiliers on 1 May 1963

Just noticed the name of Sgt Harrold on the commemorative stone. Sgt Harrold was our training sergeant in 1959 at Budbrooke Barracks, Warwick. He came out later to join the Battalion in Hong Kong.  Harrold was a brilliant drill instructor and we won Best Platoon due to his discipline. No-one who trained under Carl Harrold would forget him - he brooked no nonsense yet we all respected him. I wonder if he is still with us? Anyone know?

Mention is made here of a stone plaque commemorating the completion of a path built by the Briitish Army from Mo Tat Wan to Tung O on Lamma Island. I think it is the same plaque. Perhaps a Lamma resident can post a current picture of it.

Here are the photos to go with the post that Moddsey mentioned:

The plaque in the modern tablet is different from the one in the photo shown at the top of the page, so it looks as though the Royal Warwicks did more than one project on Lamma.

As has been mentioned before, the Heading of this thread is misleading and ought to be changed  I served with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment from 1959 to 1962 and as far as I know the Regiment did not become Fusileers until 1963.  Another great Regiment that lost its name and identity due to misguided government interference.

I served in Headquarters Company at Queenshill Camp and I'm pretty sure I remember seeing your Dad around the Camp at times. I'm still in regular touch with many old friends from HQ Company but it was a big regiment and it was impossible to remember everybody.  As your Dad served under Sgt Harrold he was in very capable hands and no doubt he told you of his experiences in that wonderful posting.  Sorry I cannot be more helpful

T. Pratt:  is your father still alive?  Just to say that a friend (now living in Canada and a former Royal Warwick) went to school with your father in Coventry. He said your father was good at cross-country and swimming.  He again met your father in Hong Kong whilst they were both doing National Service but only spoke to him briefly. His name is Maurice Elcocks. If your father is still alive he may remember Mr Elcocks.

Hi there, yes, your father remembers correctly. Maurice Elcocks was in the same swimming team that won the Coventry Schools Shield back in 1954 !!  I have a photo of Maurice in 1961 drinking at a cafe at Fanling Railway Station. Your father would remember all that. It's a small world!  We keep in regular touch with a number of ex Royal Warwicks and ocasionally meet up (but not in Canada)   Anyway, give our regards to your Dad!  Incidentally, following demob from the Warwicks I went back to Hong Kong and China importing Chinese Arts & Crafts. Eventually we had branches  at Derby, Glagow and London. So, the Hong Kong experience paid big dividends later in life!

Hi there T.Pratt,  a friend of your father's from school days and from army days wishes to make contact. He is Maurice Elcocks who now lives in Canada. He has an excellent photo of your father and himself in the School Swimming Team. He would love to speak by phone with your father or by email if preferred. If your father wants to make contact with Maurice please supply contact details or, if you prefer I can forward Maurice's email address. You were looking for men who did National Service with your father so now it's up to you.

Hello Tracey,

Thank you for your dad's contact information. I have forwarded this to Maurice in Canada and he will be delighted to give your father a ring. I'm pleased that between us we have arranged contact between your father and Maurice and no doubt they will both enjoy reminiscing about their youth and army experiences.  Thanks again.

Regards

Bill Holmes.

Photo of the Stone taken in 2013 by Happy Valley. It is clearer to see. Walked past this stone on the circular Mo Tat Wan walk but did not find the other stone at the top of the page.

Hi Tracy,  had an email from Maurice in Canada this morning. He said he rang the telephone number you gave but a lady said she had never heard of Roland and said that another person had enquired on this number !!   That's a mystery.  The number he rang was 00442476367239.  Would you please confirm that this number is correct.  Thank you.  Regards   Bill H.

Hopefully you've got this sorted, but just in case I think you'd need to dial 011442476367239 from Canada.

"00" gets you an international line when you're in the UK, but in Canada you need to dial "011".

Regards, David

Thank you David. I have forwarded your advice to Maurice Elcocks in Canada.    Bill Holmes

Just heard from Maurice Elcocks in Canada that he had a long and interesting chat with Roland Pratt yesterday.  So, mission accomplished for two old soldiers from the Royal Warwickshire Regiment back in 1961. Thanks to all concerned.

Hi Paul, i think we changed from the Antelope to the Forester Brigade badge in 1961 at Fanling then changed again to Fusiliers in 1963 at Gordon Barracks Hameln. hope my memorie serves me right. 

Are the two plaques still exist somewhere near Mot Tat? Would like to have a look during my visit for a military construction near the tip of Yuen Kok Headland.

By the way, any information about the abovementioned construction? 

Have created a place for the stone plaque that is on a rock on the Lamma Island Family Walk from Mo Tat Old Village to Yung Shue Ha. Keep looking on the right of the trail. Have not located the other one that appears to be on a wall.