The Hughes Group of the Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps comprised 4 officers and 66 to 68 men in December 1941, suffering losses during the defense and subsequent Japanese occupation of Hong Kong.
The Hughes Group were named after their founder Arthur William Hughes of the Union Insurance Company of Canton. After A. W. Hughes was transferred to Australia, Major J. J. Paterson, the Taipan of Jardine Matheson, took command of the unit.
• Name: Hughes Group (nicknamed the "Hughesliers" or "Methusaliers")
• Commanding Officer: Major John Johnstone Paterson (with Colonel H. Owen Hughes and Captain R.T. Burch as second-in-command)
• Composition: Total strength of around 70 personnel (4 officers and 66 other ranks) drawn from various corporate and contingency staffs including China Light & Power, Tai Koo Engineering, and a Free French contingent.
Photos of this organisation:
Comments
Hughes Group 4 Officers 68 Men (a partial list)
Paterson, John Johnstone [70] Major Commanding
Hughes, H. Owen [71] Colonel (1)(24)(28)(102) Es
Andrews, A. Private U Dec 19
Bel, H. [73]
Buchanan, George Private K 25.10.42
Burch, ‘Pop’ Thomas R. [74]Captain Argyle (24)(28)(52) Died 1971
Burns, R.K. Private Argyle
Cross, George Edwin Private Argylle K 10.12.42 [75]
Delbois, Jean Private Argyle
Des Voeux, Sir Edward [76] Private (28)(60) U Dec 19
Durand, Roger Private Argyle
Egal, Jaques Roderick [77] Captain Argyle (28)(100)
Erskine, William Private Argyle
Geoghan, ‘Paddy’ Private (28)
Hance, Julian Henry R. Private Argyle (28)(60)
Hausamann, Ernest Private Argyle (Swiss)
Hingston, ‘Pop’ Herbert [78] Private Argyle (28)
Hone, A. Private U Dec 19
Hoselitz, Rudolf Private U Dec 21
Jacosta, Frederic Marie Captain (24)(52) U Dec 19
Joffe, Eugene Max (TJ) Died 2000
Muir, Albert William Private U Dec 19
Pearce, Tam E. [79] Private (6)(22)(24)(28)(52)(60)(96) U Dec 19
Rapp, Frederick Christian Private Argyle BRH K 12.8.42 [80]
Rodgers, Robert A. Private (60) U Dec 19 [81]
Saladin, G. Private Argyle
Shotton, George Burn Private Argyle
Sim, James Private U Dec 19
Tweedie, T. Private Argyle