THE flag was lowered over Stanley Fort yesterday marking the last day of effective British military occupation of the peninsula since troops first landed in September 1841.
The Cross of St Andrew and the battalion flag were hauled down as the final UK-based infantry battalion of the British Army stationed in Hong Kong sounded the retreat.
A bugler and piper of the 1st Battalion the Black Watch played for the last time at the fort which has been the Scottish battalion's base since they arrived in January last year.
The ceremony marked the end of the battalion's last working day in the territory, although the Black Watch in Hong Kong has been non-operational since May.
''It is an historic day for Hong Kong but with the gradual withdrawal of the Garrison almost every day is becoming historic,'' said garrison spokesman Roger Goodwin.
Members of the 650-strong battalion and their families have been leaving over the past few weeks. Only a handful will remain until early next month when the fort's keys will be handed over to the Hong Kong Government.