Hong Kong 1962

On finishing training in July 1962 like most other marines I was sent to RMB Eastney for a month. I was then drafted to a unit and in my case 42 Commando RM in Singapore. This for me was an optune moment because,
within a short time of arriving, I was embarked on HMS Bulwark, bound for Borneo and then Hong Kong (the Pearl of the East).  This was to be the last time 42 Commando RM and other Commando units would operate under the Troop system. 42 Commando RM then consisted of A, B, C, X, and Y Troop plus Support Troop and Signals Troop. 42 Commando RM had this system since 1943. In the future Units, were to consist of Companies.

The Naval Gunfire Support exercise to take place in Borneo had to be curtailed due to pirate activity in the area. The Borneo police signalled HMS Bulwark that 14 pirates from a raiding party were still at large on Pulau Banggi. Two of 42 commando Troops including B Troop were landed by LCA on Banggie Island, to carryout a search. The first night was spent in ambushes, and at close to midnight an outburst of sustained fire in the north east, made us forget the hordes of mosquitoes biting us. The police had opened fire on a boat which they later searched and
found a quantity of ammunition and money.

HMS Bulwark provided my first introduction to the paint chipping hammer, Battle ship grey lead paint, and how to use wire wool on a rotary floor polisher to burnish the deck of the hanger for the officers dance, and reception in harbour. The messdeck was quite cramped with little room between bunks. This was all too apparent when ordered to move to the forehead lift-well for disembarkation. Last minute opening and shutting of lockers became a bit of a chore, as well as making sure not to catch your rifle in the bunk fastenings, as you moved off in fighting order. We looked forward to the tot of rum at noon and playing volley ball or watching films in the after lift-well in the evening. Crown and Anchor whilst banned was played covertly by some of the older sweats.

After the pirate chase, the ship headed for Hong Kong, but not before carrying out a short exercise called "Common Assault IV". HMS Bulwark entering Hong Kong harbour adopted procedure A for entry, which was an experience in itself with marines and naval personnel lining the flight deck and the Hong Kong sampans, junks and other boats coming out to welcome her. The local people fired Chinese fire crackers and ships sounded their sirens. Hong Kong's airport Kai Tak was also very impressive with its runway projecting out to sea. During the eight days visit the ship's company changed currency into Hong Kong dollars amounting to approximately £43,000. About £30 per person which in 1962 was quite a lot of money. Whilst some of this money was spent on rabbits (presents), quite a lot went on a good run a shore! 

Hong Kong was then a fascinating place with it famous Peak with large houses of the wealthy, nesting in the hill side, whilst the streets and alleyways below contained some sleazy neon-lit bars in Wanchai and Causeway Bay. Other attractions included the Tiger Balm ,and Botanical Gardens. Service men going ashore from ships like Bulwark, were
required to wear uniform and could be seen in all sorts of bars or being hassled by rickshaw boys saying " English Jonnie you want nice girl". Several marines visited the tattoo shops and a well know character in C Troop "Yorkie" Walker, had a sinuous tattooed on his back.  A night visit to the Peak looking down on the city below was an
experience never to be forgotten. From the peak you could see the lights of HMS Bulwark and other ships illuminating the warm evening sky and the green star ferry making its regular trips across to Kowloon The Street
Trams and the Red London Double Decker buses were also very much part of the street scene. I don't know how the Chinese boys found out where we were going, but even on Troop exercises in the hills there always seemed to be a boy selling goffers (cold drinks) and other small items such as watches.  

Toward the end of our stay a warning was sent to the ship that a Typhoon "Wanda" was heading for Hong Kong. On August 29th a U.S.A.F reconnaissance aircraft flew into the eye of the storm and reported that the wind had reached hurricane force. The Ship's company was required to report back to the ship and we left harbour and met typhoon "Wanda" at sea. ( http://www.weather.gov.hk/informtc/no10/wanda/wanda.htm)  At 9 a.m on the 1st September 1962 typhoon "Wanda" was centred over the eastern waters of the Colony and hurricane force winds were blowing over Hong Kong. The records of the Hong Kong Royal Observatory showed a maximum gust of 140 knots at 9.30 a.m. 300 fishing boats out of a total fleet of just over a 1000 and several from the Aberdeen area were damaged or destroyed. Of a total of 132 ocean-going ships, 24 were beached and 12 involved in collisions. Shanty town was destroyed, and stronger village huts were severely damaged. 130 people were killed, and 53 missing. 72,000 people were registered homeless. 

On leaving Hong Kong the ship was battened down and for some time the flight deck and weather decks were out of bounds. When we were able to venture out, large water spouts were sucked up into the sky and the magnitude of the storm soon became apparent. One minute the flight deck was high in the sky and the next the sea was above the line of sight. On the way back we met up with a couple of frigates and a submarine and exchange pleasantries. The words of the Hymn Eternal Father Strong to Save, and particularly the words "for those in peril on the sea" always
remind me of that storm and the destruction it caused to Hong Kong.  After taking 42 commando RM back to Singapore HMS Bulwark started its homeward journey to the UK, having been supporting the far east units
since March 1960. Whilst this was my first trip in a Commando Unit I realised that several old sweats were sad to see the old Troop organisation go together with the TQ (Troop Quartermaster) brew (tea). One signaller Mne Thomas had elected to serve an extra six months to complete three years. Some had therefore spent a long time with the 42 Commando and HMS Bulwark. On the 10th of September 1962 during a short break in Singapore we were
formed into Companies. Five days later we were despatched from Changi Airport in "Chalks" rather than Helicopter "Sticks" to North Borneo

Beverleys and Hastings took us to Jesselton and then Pioneers to the air strip at Kota Belud. 
The North Borneo training areas of Kota Belud consisted of grassy uplands with fast flowing rivers and situated in the foothills of Mount Kinabalu 13,455 feet high. The lower slopes of the mountain was covered in thick jungle with the north face at that time unclimbed. The first ten days were fine, and then the monsoon broke. You could almost set
you watch to 1300 hours because of the regular time of the torrential down pour and the noise of rain approaching through the jungle. We were now situated in Company locations with each company being close to a river. However, within an hour of the monsoon breaking our location was turned into an extension of the river. Monsoon ditches had to be dug deeper and deeper.

During the month we were there extensive training was carried out at individual and Company level. Weekends were free and were spent at Kota Belud which had thirty shops, ten bars, three houses, a market square, and a market on Sundays. On the 20th October after a hard month of extensive training the unit began to move back to Jesselton and onward to Singapore. The company organisation having now well and truly formed. One of the outcomes of staying in the foothills of Mount Kinabalu was that several members of 8 troop, M Company wanted to climb the Mountain but that was not possible. However on return to Singapore Lt Van der Horst took a small group us, in November, climbing in the Cameroon Highlands up Country in Malaya which provided some consolation. 

John Anthony Bailey