Thirty years after marching out of the former Police Training School in Wong Chuk Hang, members of Probationary Inspector (PI) Courses 148, 149 and 150 gathered in Hong Kong for a long-waited reunion in January this year. During the weeklong reunion, 31 out of the original 39 course members met for various events, joined by two of their former Course Instructors and many guests.

Sixteen course members with their partners and relatives flew to Hong Kong from France, Australia, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, the USA and the UK, where they have either taken up new careers or have retired to. Nine are still serving in the Force at ranks up to Deputy Commissioner. Most looked much the same albeit with a few more pounds and a bit greyer.

A welcome dinner was held at the Aberdeen Boat Club, where Hugh McKnight showed a film he took with a cine camera during his first few years in Hong Kong and there was much amusement seeing what the course members looked like then and now. Many fond memories were evoked when the film showed the Tiger Balm Gardens, which has sadly met its demise.

Other reunion events included visits to Police Tactical Unit, Operations Wing in Police Headquarters, Wong Tai Sin Temple and Wong Tai Sin Officers Mess. A night at the Happy Valley Races was next on the cards and the food there was truly excellent. Some officers had luck in winning small bets on the horses.

The week was rounded off with a magnificent Dine-Out Night at the Police College Officers Mess. Tears of joy were flowing from many eyes when the Police Band gave a sterling performance.

Hugh visited the Police Training School Commandant in 1978, Annie Calderwood, in Scotland and recorded her message on a DVD, which was shown at the Aberdeen Boat Club and Police College dinners.

To record the reunion, a Reunion Newspaper has been produced with the help of Paul Dalton who now runs a publishing company. Many officers have contributed articles, including Eric McCosh, who once recruited expatriate officers in London. Brando Ma, who is a very accomplished Chinese watercolour artist and calligraphist, looked after the artwork. Hundreds of photographs of reunion events have been compiled onto a DVD, with all officers receiving a copy.

A dedicated organising committee took over one year to prepare the reunion, assisted in the run up by Dave Gunton's wife, Mari, who acted as a coordinator and did a great job to ensure that all friends were well informed of the events.

The Royal Hong Kong Police Force brought the course members together in 1978 to work in Hong Kong. They will always be indebted for this opportunity and the camaraderie that it has brought.

A happy reunion after passing out from the former PTS in 1978

Smart turnout in 1978

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