Train Kowloon to Tai Po. | Gwulo: Old Hong Kong

Train Kowloon to Tai Po.

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Train Kowloon to Tai Po.
Submitted by Andrew Suddaby
Authors: 
Peter Keeley

A better photograph than one previously uploaded by myself.  It shows a better view of the proximity of the railway line to the road, and the curvature of the railway, as well as a small military or police truck. Standing on the roadside next to the Nissen hut is a group of four or five men who, while not identifiable have a very military or police look about them.  This might re-inforce comments by several contributors to my photograph, below, about the buildings probably being a marine police post.  (Andrew S)

New Territories
New Territories, by AndrewSuddaby
Date picture taken (may be approximate): 
Thursday, January 1, 1953
Gallery: 
Keeley, Peter (1952-55)
Connections: 
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Comments

Submitted by philk on Mon, 2021-09-06 11:25.

there is a comment on Hugh's Industrial History website that identifies this building as the Shatin Army Camp Officers' Mess, located about 500 metres north of Arcullis House (i.e. Ho Tung Lau).

https://industrialhistoryhk.org/shatin-airfield-2/#comment-40402 -

Submitted by Andrew Suddaby on Mon, 2021-09-06 20:37.

Thank you Phil for your updated identificaiton of the location.  That makes much more sense than my earlier thoght that it might have been a Marine Police Post. So, I have again zoomed in on my file copy and I now suspect that the Army truck was returning to the main Shatin Army Camp having just delivered a small squad of four or five soldiers to work their shift in the Officers' Mess.  They are almost certainly drawn up 'on parade' and there is a figure on the right of them that is probably a Corporal or Sergeant who is inspecting them before they enter the Mess - and probably giving them some sort of 'pep talk'.   

Submitted by Tideswell27 on Fri, 2021-10-01 13:41.

I must be honest and say that at first blush I thought this photo was of the small jetty, or pier, at Tai Po Kau. This location was the base for what was then called "North Sector" of the Royal Hong Kong Police, (Marine District), and it also housed what was then called Shatin Divisional Headquarters.

That is, the 2 or 3 storey building housed 2 completely unrelated units. I worked there from 1976 - 78.

However, closer examination reveals that there is a road between the railway line and the pier. There was certainly no road at this location in my day. The railway line, as well as Tai Po Kau Station, ran directly past the jetty with nothing (certainly no road) between the two.

Consequently I can well imagine that it was a military establishment of some sort.