Colonial Hong Kong
For 156 years Hong Kong was a British Crown Colony until 30 June, 1997 when it was ceremonially handed back to the People’s Republic of China.
Two years previously, in 1995, a unique military unit held its final parade before being disbanded and ending 143 years of loyal service to the British Crown and the people of, what was originally, a small port city on the southern coast of China – Hong Kong.
THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT (The Volunteers) was a militia formation founded in 1854 and tasked with the defense of the small Colony alongside the regular British Army garrison stationed there.
For many years it would join with other British Forces taking part in the Queen’s Birthday Parade held annually in the city.
Taking the official salute on behalf of the Queen would be her representative, His Excellency, The Governor, resplendent in his ‘Tropical Whites’ and saluting as the different units marched past.