Pay and Management of HKMSC pers improved in the seventies and I re-enlisted after my first 4-year engagement. Sgt KUNG Yuk Yee (ex-RMP) recommended I transfer to Int Corps and, on 8 February 1972 I was posted to 10 Int & Sy Coy to replace Sgt KUNG himself who had bought out for joining the Lion Rock Tunnel as Supervisor. I attended a 16-week SNCO Cadre Course at Depot HKMSC to qualify as Sub Sgt but got a "Fail" for allegedly breaking the rule by "talking" during the Map Reading Test. I'd completed ACE2 Map Reading (1969) and attended Map Reading Instructor's Course (1970) when students worked in groups, so protest my Fail grade. It met with no success so I worked as A/Sgt and repeated the SNCO Cadre the following year. In autumn 1972, I visited Depot HKMSC with SSgt WHITFIELD, 10 Int & Sy Coy, investigating suspected Triad involvement by a RCT LEP. I met the British Bks RSM, (who'd awarded the SNCO Cadre "Fail") he grabbed my hair and said "What's that Sergeant?" I replied, "Sideboard Sir!" but SSgt WHITFIELD told this man my hair was like that due to the nature of Int Corps work, so he let me go.

In 1973, I attended the SNCO Cadre again. During the BE Test I lost my headdress marching from Shek O to Lyemun and a bridgadier saw a Hong Kong soldier without a hat and rang CO HKMSC. The CO and Bks RSM were at Lyemun Bks main gate, to identify the "scruffy soldier." Next day the CO formally warned me this incident would be in the course report. There were 12 students on the SNCO Cadre and, though the second best, I received a terrible course report although the one incident that could stand against me, the "Brigadier and The Scruff Soldier," wasn't even mentioned. Anyway, I got the substantive rank of sergeant, but delayed by a year.

In 1973, OC Maj WATERS, changed 10 Int & Sy Coy LEP establishment to multiple ranks (Cpl to SSgt) to offer HK Soldiers a career structure. I worked extremely hard but in May 1974 my nightmare arrived-a posting to Camp HQBF at Victoria Bks, until my run out date 7 January 1975. As Pln Sgt of LEP soldiers in Victoria Bks, I considered I'd been stitched up but put my back into it, additionally running Map Reading Courses for Civil Aid Service and University students. One day I took WO1 (GSM) CHIVAS, (former referee HK Football Assn) to Causeway Bay to change his car tyres. He enquired why I had to leave, I told him the whole story and he said he would speak to Camp Comdt HQBF, Maj MORGAN (who'd been my recruit boss) to see what could be done. Two weeks later, Maj MORGAN said Colonel, Adjutant & Quartermaster General HQBF had appealed my case, the appeal had been upheld by HKMSC Record Office, so I could stay in the Army and was happy with this decision.

I was rebadged RMP and posted to HK Dog Coy, (OC Maj Brian WOOD), Shamshuipo Camp where I was Pln Sgt on 5 November 1974. I attended All Arms Drill Course No 184 (3 May to 13 June 1975) at Pirbright under instructor Sgt Tony SIMPSON of Coldstream Guards as well as the Unit Fire NCO Course at Stonecutters. After those courses, I was Unit Fire NCO and Pre-NCO Cadre course instructor with Dog Coy. The RMP disbanded on 31 March 1976 and Dog Coy was rebadged HKMSC and moved to Sek Kong in various stages. Two months before the Queen's Jubilee, The whole of Dog Coy was in Sek Kong and rebadged RAVC. In 1977, HKMSC provided four contingents, each of 60 men, for the Queen's Jubilee Parade, marching with the Royal HK Police band from Victoria Park to Victoria Bks. My job was to train up our Dog Coy contingent to drill with rifles, especially the 'change arm on the march.' During the actual Parade, spontaneous applause from HK citizens along Hennessy Road convinced me my efforts hadn't been wasted.

On 22 November 1977, I was made RP Sgt, HQ Gurkha Field Force & Sig Sqn at Sek Kong as selected by the Record Office HKMSC to Improve the RPs' turnout and train up their military skills for six months. Lt Col LLOYD, Camp Comdt and QM was pleased, recommending me for Depot instructor where, as Sgt Instructor, I helped NCO Cadre Team with Junior and Senior courses. There was no vacancy for SSgt so I was posted to Hong Kong Physical and Adventurous Training Centre (HKPATC) on 3 January 1979 as SSgt CQMS. Under WO1 (SMI) Charles COWIE I was responsible for stores but effected repairs to such as canoes as Workshop repairs took too long. I spent three and half years at HKPATC, my best Army posting, twice assisting with the Hong Kong Marathon held at Sek Kong. One year, our UAR was so good that the inspector recommended exemption the following year because of the store layout. My Annual Confidential Report was excellent and the Master At Arms HQBF, Capt GLYNN G(PT), recommended me for a commission. While at HKPATC I attended courses for Infantry Range Management, Unit Fire Office, Unit Fitness Training Officer, Close Combat & Aikido, Dingy Sailing, Squash Beginner, Unit Helicopter Handling Instructor and supported WO2 (QMSI) LI Nai Chung as assistant sailing instructor.

In March 1982, I was posted to Guard Coy HKMSC at Osborn Bks as WO2 (CSM) under the command of HQ Sup Tps. In the period, I trained up my men as half Guard of Honour for the Chief Justice in 1983 and 1984 as well as the guards at the Government House. I was due to retire on 7 January 1985 but, because I was under 18 when I joined the RN, couldn't get the full gratuity. However, thanks to the Army, my run out date was delayed by two months, so I received two months extra salary and qualified for the full 20-year gratuity.