Hong Kong Military Service Corps facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hong Kong Military Service Corps香港軍事服務團 |
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| Active | Hong Kong Chinese Regiment (1941) Hong Kong Chinese Training Unit (HKCTU) (1948 – January 1962) Hong Kong Military Service Corps (HKMSC) (1962 – 14 December 1996) |
| Country |  United Kingdom British Hong Kong |
| Branch |  British Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Territorial Defence Logistics Support |
| Size | 1800 men |
| Part of | British Forces Overseas Hong Kong |
| Nickname(s) | Buffalo (Traditional Chinese: 水牛) Water mine and coastal artillery soldiers (Traditional Chinese: 水雷炮兵) |
| March | Lion Rock (Quick March) |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Commandant HKMSC |
| Honorary Brigadier | Brigadier 48 Brigade DCBF Hong Kong |
The Hong Kong Military Service Corps (HKMSC) was a special British army unit. It was part of the British army stationed in Hong Kong. This unit was unique because almost all its soldiers were local people from Hong Kong. It was the only regular British army unit formed this way in the territory.
Contents
The Story of the HKMSC
Early Days: Hong Kong Soldiers
The idea of Hong Kong Chinese people serving in the British Army started a long time ago. In the 1880s, local people helped the Royal Engineers build army camps and defenses.
During World War II, many Hong Kong Chinese fought bravely. They defended Hong Kong alongside British troops in the Battle of Hong Kong. Sadly, many were killed or became prisoners of war. Some also fought outside Hong Kong, in Burma, against Japanese forces in 1942.
Forming the HKCTU and HKMSC
In January 1948, a new unit was created. It was called the Hong Kong Chinese Training Unit (HKCTU). This unit was made up of Hong Kong Chinese who had served in the war. Their goal was to recruit and train more local soldiers. These soldiers would help and support the British army in Hong Kong.
HKCTU members were nicknamed sui lui pao bing (water mine and coastal artillery soldiers) or sui ngau (buffalo). These nicknames honored the soldiers who came before them.
In 1962, the HKCTU changed its name. It became the Hong Kong Military Service Corps (HKMSC). The unit also got a new symbol: a Dragon emblem. This Dragon became the official badge and flag for the HKMSC.
Careers in the British Army
The HKMSC gave Hong Kong Chinese soldiers a chance for a full career. They could join the British Regular Army. Some even became officers. All HKMSC members were regular British Army soldiers. They received official service records when they left. Many also earned medals for long and loyal service. Some even received special awards for bravery or outstanding service.
The HKMSC Headquarters and Training Depot were first at Lyemun Barracks in 1948. Later, in 1985, they moved to Stonecutters Island. British and Hong Kong Chinese officers led the unit. Training was very thorough, just like for other British Army recruits.
Life as an HKMSC Soldier
The Hong Kong Military Service Corps was known for its loyalty and excellent military skills. They often performed very well in competitions. For example, their shooting team won many times at major army competitions in the UK. In 1992, an HKMSC team won the Dragon Cup for military skills. They even beat other famous units like the Gurkha Signals.
The HKMSC grew to about 1,200 soldiers. They provided important support to the British army in Hong Kong. All HKMSC soldiers did their basic training in Hong Kong. They also went to the United Kingdom for advanced courses. HKMSC soldiers who worked with other army units wore the badges of those units.
HKMSC soldiers served in many different roles. They were light-infantry soldiers, police, interpreters, and clerks. They also worked as drivers, boat crews, and dog handlers. Some became instructors, pay clerks, or technicians. Others served as medics, military police, or helicopter support crews. They also worked as cooks, storekeepers, and intelligence staff.
The End of an Era
During the Gulf War and in the early 1990s, HKMSC soldiers helped with peacekeeping. They served with the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP).
In 1996, the HKMSC unit was officially disbanded. This happened before Hong Kong was returned to China in 1997. After the handover, some former Hong Kong servicemen formed an association. They have branches in the UK and Canada.
In 2006, Gurkha soldiers who served in Hong Kong were granted full British citizenship. However, only a small number of Hong Kong servicemen received British citizenship in 1997.
Some former Hong Kong servicemen living in the UK rejoined the British Army. Others joined the British Territorial Army, which is a reserve force.
In 2012, a campaign started to help more former Hong Kong servicemen get the right to live in the UK. This campaign gained strong support in the British parliament. On March 29, 2023, the British Government announced a new way for these former servicemen to settle in the United Kingdom.
Places Connected to the HKMSC
- Depot Hong Kong Military Service Corps, Lyemun Barracks
- Stonecutters Island – This was once a base for the HKMSC. Now it is a naval base for the PLA.
See also
