I am Raymond CHAN and I was born in Hong Kong on 29 November 1946. I lived in Wanchai, Hong Kong Island, the oldest of eleven children, and my father, CHAN Chiu, served in RN from 1950 until 1972. I joined the RN on 1 September 1964, sailed on two HM Ships and served together with my father on HMS Albion. I left the RN August 1966 and joined the Army 7 January 1967. I did recruit and driver training at Depot Hong Kong Military Service Corps, Lyemun Bks, Hong Kong Island and Maj MORGAN, OC Trg Coy, Depot HKMSC, recommended me for RMP service. I was posted to HK Pro Coy RMP and served with Island Det, Victoria Bks from 16 July 1967 to 7 February 1972. I was promoted LCpl 1 October 1967, Cpl November 1970 and in 1971 completed Junior NCO Cadre Course at Depot HKMSC, to qualify as a substantive Cpl. I enjoyed my five years with RMP.

Pay and Management of HKMSC personnel improved in the 1970s 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’d bought himself out to be Supervisor at Lion Rock Tunnel. I attended 16-week SNCO Cadre Course at Depot HKMSC to qualify as Sub Sgt but got a "Fail" for allegedly breaking a "no talking" rule 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 protested 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 the suspected Triad involvement of a RCT LEP. I encountered Lyemun Bks British RSM (who'd awarded the SNCO Cadre "Fail") who grabbed my hair and asked "What's that Sergeant?" I replied, "Sideboard Sir!" but SSgt WHITFIELD diplomatically told him 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 brigadier, seeing a Hong Kong soldier without a hat, rang CO HKMSC. The CO and 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 Scruffy Soldier," wasn't even mentioned. Anyway, I got the substantive rank of sergeant but it had been delayed a year.

In 1973, OC 10 Int & Sy Coy, Maj WATERS, changed 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 the army and I told him the whole story. 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.

On 5 November 1974, I was rebadged RMP and posted to HK Dog Coy, (OC Maj Brian WOOD), Shamshuipo Camp where I was Pln Sgt. I attended two courses, All Arms Drill Course No 184 (3 May-13 June 1975) at Pirbright, instructor Sgt Tony SIMPSON, Coldstream Guards, and Unit Fire NCO Course at Stonecutters Island. After these courses, I was Dog Coy’s Unit Fire NCO and Pre-NCO Cadre course instructor. On 31 March 1976, the Dog Coy was rebadged to 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. The contingents were from Dog Coy, Ordnance Depot, Depot HKMSC and RCT. My job was to train up our Dog Coy contingent to drill with rifles, including 'Change arms 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 for six months at HQ Gurkha Field Force & Sig Sqn, Sek Kong, as selected by Record Office HKMSC to improve the RPs' turnout and military skills. Lt Col LLOYD, Camp Comdt and QM, was pleased with my work, recommending me for Depot HKMSC instructor where, as Sgt Instructor, I helped the NCO Cadre Team with Junior and Senior courses.

There was no vacancy for SSgt at Depot HKMSC 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 myself, as Workshop repairs took too long. I spent 3½ 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 the inspector recommended exemption the following year because of the well laid out Stores. My Annual Confidential Report was excellent and 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 Officer, 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. During this period, I instructed my men as Half Guards of Honour for the Chief Justice in 1983 and 1984, as well as Guards at Government House. I was due to retire on 7 January 1985 but, because when I joined the RN I was under 18, I 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.