The Hong Kong Defence Force | Gwulo: Old Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Defence Force

Primary tabs

Submitted by Bill Griffiths on Sun, 2012-04-01 21:45

Hello, I wonder if there are many ex Defence Force members still around, and if there is any sort of Museum dedicated to it.

My late wife was a member of the Naval section, and became a sharpshooter with the service rifle, and indeed in 1952 became The Hong Kong Ladies Champion.

Her name then was Nancy Kong.  I have many photos of her in uniform, and lots of newspaper cuttings showing the results of the Hong Kong Bisley meetings.

I would be so pleased to hear from anyone who has similar memories

I served in Hong Kong with my Regiment The Kings Shropshire Light Infantry between 1949 and 1952. We were sent to Korea in 1951 to join the United Nations Forces during that terrible War, which should not be forgotten.

I married Nancy Kong in September 1952, and sadly she passed away ten months ago. This year we would have celebrated our Diamond Wedding anniversary

Bill Griffiths....now living in UK

Forum: 
General
  • Log in or register to post comments

Submitted by Admin on Sun, 2012-04-01 22:13.

Dear Bill,

Thank you for writing, and for your email message which I'll reply to directly. Your wife was clearly a remarkable lady.

There is a group in Hong Kong named the "The Royal Hong Kong Regiment (The Volunteers) Association". I'm not sure if they have any members who were in the Naval section, but it would be worth contacting them. Their website is at http://www.rhkr.org/index.htm

Regards, David

Submitted by doug on Sun, 2012-04-22 09:32.

By the Service Rifle, you mean your wife was shooting the Enfield .303 Rifle? I would like to see photos of her shooting-I can't even imagine my wife shooting a high-powered rifle like that.

Submitted by David on Sun, 2012-04-22 12:09.

Doug, your wish is our command! Please see Bill's photos and description of Nancy's sharpshooter days, which we've just posted online.

Regards, David

Submitted by Bill Griffiths on Sun, 2012-04-22 15:46.

Hello Doug

I see David has already replied to your request..and can I add, that I too was amazed when I first saw my Wife shooting, as I was then a young soldier and at that time also a markman, but she could outshoot me.

She carried on shooting after leaving the Defence Force and even as recently as 1992 she was shooting alongside me with a shotgun at clay pigeon shooting.I bought her a lovely little twenty bore which she took to very quickly. She didn't win any Trophies with this, but she did win the admiration of many male shooters who couldn't believe such a tiny little 67 year old lady could shoot so well.

Doug, I hope you enjoy her story

Best wishes...Bill

Submitted by Bill Griffiths on Sun, 2012-04-22 15:57.

Dear David

thank you so very much for publishing my darling Nancy's story..you have helped me to share some of my memories of a wonderful and talented young lady who I had the good fortune to marry way back in 1952. She was a wonderful wife and mother to five children..who never complained despite all the suffering she obviously went through during the second World war.

Thank you again David, I will be forever grateful

Bill

Submitted by doug on Sun, 2012-04-22 18:04.

Thank You-what a wonderful and interesting woman your wife was! (And I also must say how I've enjoyed your stories of your own life in the service,too).