Letters | Hongkongers who served in Falklands War will not be forgotten

As the UK marks the 40th anniversary of the conflict, the Hongkongers who gave their lives are also remembered

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Attendees arrive for a Service of Remembrance to mark the 40th anniversary of the Falklands conflict, at St Paul’s Cathedral in central London on April 5. Photo: AFP

Published: 11:30am, 10 Apr 2022

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Forty years ago, Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands and the British government swiftly assembled a naval task force to convey and protect the troops, equipment and fuel required to retake British soil. This was successfully accomplished by June 14, 1982. A three-month-long series of events, each marking a poignant anniversary, will culminate in a parade on June 19.

It is likely that only a few people will mark the anniversary in Hong Kong. This is a pity as it should be more widely known that there was at least one Hongkonger in almost every ship in the armada of 127 vessels that converged on the Falkland Islands. An unconfirmed figure states that around 400 Hongkongers were among the crew, which, relative to the 127 ships involved is entirely plausible.

Most Hongkongers on Royal Navy ships were engaged in ancillary duties such as laundry, Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes staff and tailors. On Royal Fleet Auxiliary and Merchant Navy ships, though, they worked in practical roles as seamen, trade technicians, fitters and cooks. As civilians, they had the option of leaving their ships before entering the war zone. Some took this up, but most resolved to stay.

Eight Hongkongers died in the conflict. They were Kye Ben-kwo aboard the HMS Coventry; Lai Chi-keung on the HMS Sheffield; Leung Chau and Sung Yuk-fai on the RFA Sir Galahad; Yu Sik-chi and Yeung Shui-kam on the RFA Sir Tristram; and Chan Chi-sing and Ng Por on the SS Atlantic Conveyor.

One man who did survive combat was Chiu Yu-nam. He was attached to the Sir Galahad and was on deck when it was attacked by Argentinian aircraft on June 8, 1982. Their bombs created a fireball below decks which killed Leung and Sung. Chiu quickly put on a fire suit and went down into the blackness, smoke and heat several times to retrieve injured Welsh Guardsmen, who would have died but for his actions.