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.
The battalion was originally intended as a MG battalion similar to the Middlesex regiment who provided the training cadre for the regiment.
After the surrender, a number of HKCR recruits escaped to China and joined up with the British Army Aid Group shortly after. Others became POWs, but, like all POWs considered to be 'local Chinese' by the Japanese, were released early, resulting in many of these highly motivated young men also crossing the border. As a percentage, it is probable that more HKCR men escaped, or evaded capture, and continued fighting than any other Hong Kong-based unit, thus proving the quality of the initial recruitment and selection.
Sample member list
- Major Rodney W. Mayer - Middlesex Regiment
- Private Chan Cheuk
- Lance Corporal Chan Chiu Fan
- Lance Corporal Chan Hon Kee (Elliot)
- Sergeant Chu Chun Man
- Private Walter Harold Grainger - Middlesex Regiment
- Private Ho Lai Pui
- Sergeant Hodgeson - Middlesex Regiment
- Private Ip Kwong Lau
- Private Kwan Yiu Wah
- Private Kwok Wing
- Private Leung Shui Ming
- Lance Corporal Lee Lup
- Private Lew Ah Loy (George)
- Lance Corporal Lew Kay Sang (Alex)
- Private Li Fu
- Lance Corporal Lo Ping Luen
- Private Lo Wai Hing
- Lance Corporal Mak Ping Kuen
- Private Ng Chi Wan
- Lance Corporal Sunng Wong
- Corporal Thong Po Hing
- Private To Wei Kei
- Private Tong Man Chuen
- Private Tsang Shui Wah
- Private Wat Hok Chi
References
- Roses in December, David Stanford
- Hong Kong War Diary
