REGIMENTAL
REMEMBRANCE DAY HONG KONG
E
11 NOVEMBER 2020
very year since the handover in 1997, the Hong Kong Branch of the 6th Gurkhas Regimental Association has paraded at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Day and our contingent has laid a wreath on behalf of the Regiment. Captain Taraprasad Gurung has led the three-man party to lay the wreath since he took over the Chairmanship of the Branch from Captain Birbahadur Thapa, when the latter left for England over a decade ago. Hong Kong’s usual Remembrance Day is still the same as it always was; in fact, it has got bigger over the years, as more and more Consuls of different countries have started to lay wreaths. There is still a marching contingent of Naval, Army and Air Cadets. The Hong Kong Police Band and pipes play, and a Police bugler still blows the last post and reveille from the balcony of the Hong Kong Club. There is no Governor there, of course, but there is a Hong Kong Government representative. The national anthem and the flag are now those of China. The service is truly interdenominational, with now 10 priests
of different faiths and denominations saying prayers. Large numbers of Hong Kong people turn out to watch. It remains a moving and impressive occasion, run impeccably by the Hong Kong ExServicemen’s Association. This year things could not be the same; Covid-19 social distancing restrictions prevented the appearance of a marching contingent and a band. Individuals were not permitted to lay wreaths or to approach the Cenotaph, so ex-Hong Kong Military Service Corps Officers, Warrant Officers and Senior NCOs laid over 130 wreaths on behalf of those present. Spectators were kept at a distance from the grass. Masks were obligatory. However, the rest was as normal, two minutes silence was observed, last post and reveille was sounded. Our contingent, led by our Chairman, turned out as normal. The oldest among us was Lt Indrabahadur Gurung, now in his 85th year. The 6th Gurkha wreath was laid. Nigel Collett
From left to right: Mr. Trilok Gurung; 21163430 Rfn Hirasing Gurung; 21157139 WO2 Prembahadur Gurung; 21159130 Hon Lt (QGO) Talimbahadur Gurung; Capt (QGO) Taraprasad Gurung; Lt Col Nigel Collett; Lt (QGO) Indrabahadur Gurung; 21163428 Rfn Ram Bahadur Gurung.
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