1917 Police Reserve | Gwulo: Old Hong Kong

1917 Police Reserve

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1917 Police Reserve
Submitted by Admin

Photo courtesy of Henry Ching:

"taken by my father who was a keen amateur photographer"

Is it taken in the Central Police Station?

Date picture taken (may be approximate): 
Monday, January 1, 1917
Gallery: 
1910s Hong Kong
Connections: 
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Submitted by 1314 on Mon, 2012-12-24 22:29.

Former Central Police Station Compound, but at that time the Police Headquarters Complex. Appears to be a Medal Presentation Parade, interesting variety of full dress uniforms depicted, easily seen through Zoom. Also swords carried/worn in a number of ways. Entrance to the Central Police Station Report Room was to the right in middle distance, Central Magistracy in the Right Distance, officers quarters through the tree (which was still,though considerably thicker ) in 1992,

Submitted by David on Wed, 2012-12-26 14:43.

Thanks for the extra information. So the building on the right of the photo is the one that runs along the southern edge of the CPS courtyard, and we're looking WSW towards the Magistracy. I'll add both those places to the photo.

Coincidentally I saw a couple of photos in the HK Public Library collection, that gave some more background about the Special Reserve:

The procession of the Chinese company of the Special Police Reserve at Connaught Road Central, who were armed with Maxim guns. The pier at the background was the former Star Ferry Pier.

In 1914, the World War I broke out and many European members of the Hong Kong Police Force returned to their homes in order to join the war. In order to make good the loss of manpower and as a precaution against emergencies, the Special Police Reserve was ...

and

Parade of the Special Constabulary at Statue Square, Central in 1916

During the First World War period, part of European contingent of the Hong Kong Police returned to Europe to join the war. In order to make good the loss of manpower, 352 men were sworn...

Both entries are cut short, and missing some text at the end.

Regards, David

Submitted by 1314 on Wed, 2012-12-26 22:52.

David,

         Camera looking east towards Arbruthnot Rd,which runs N.S behind Central Mag,dropping into Hollywood Rd running E/W to N of Central police complex.

        Names of 30+ HK Citizens who ' declared themselves willing to be formed into the Special Police Reserve under Sprecial Police Reserve Ord 1914 ( Ord 27/1914)' can be found in HK Gazette of 5.2.1915   G.N 57.

        The Special Police Reserve was remaned the Police Reserve in 1917,the photograph could well be in connection with a disbandment,renaming,reformation parade.

Submitted by David on Sun, 2012-12-30 18:16.

Thanks for the correction - got my easts & wests back to front.

Regards, David