Pax Britannica to World War, 1878–1919

Abstract

This chapter covers the lives of the Hongkongers who joined the British armed forces during this period, such as the Hong Kong ratings of the Royal Navy and the Hong Kong Submarine Miners. A close look at these experiences shows that at least among the British and Hong Kong Chinese servicemen, a cooperative, if not cordial, relationship existed, although the voice of the Hong Kong Chinese themselves was largely absent due to the scarcity of primary sources. At any rate, the British showed admiration and respect towards their Hong Kong Chinese servicemen. It then turns to the experience of the Hong Kong servicemen during the First World War, particularly the thousands of military labourers who were employed by the British Indian Army to work in Mesopotamia. While the Chinese Labour Corps (consisting mainly of Chinese from Shandong) is well known, the contribution of the Hong Kong labour corps in Mesopotamia has been largely forgotten.