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54-576: The island once boasted at least three mating pairs of sulphur-crested cockatoos as well as many snakes; banded kraits , brown cobras and bamboo snakes were all common denizens as late as the 1980s. Black kites often hovered overhead, looking for prey and carrion amongst the many tamarind , ficus benjamina and banyan trees. The island was ceded by the Qing dynasty to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland along with Kowloon in 1860 through

108-548: A cable-stayed bridge linking the Kowloon peninsula with Tsing Yi Island to form part of Route 8 , opened on 20 December 2009. 22°19′20″N 114°8′10″E  /  22.32222°N 114.13611°E  / 22.32222; 114.13611 Sulphur-crested cockatoos The sulphur-crested cockatoo ( Cacatua galerita ) is a relatively large white cockatoo found in wooded habitats in Australia , New Guinea , and some of

162-719: A Support Command unit. This was to prove short-lived, however, for on 1 November 1973, 444 SU and the unit responsible for maintaining the Skynet ground station at RAF Gan – 6 SU – were both transferred to the command of the Air Officer Commanding in Chief Near East Air Force (NEAF). At this time 444 SU and 6 SU formed part of the Defence Communications Network (DCN) and the DCN elements of both units came under

216-411: A commercial interest on the island; Jardine Matheson along with DuPont erected an explosives factory to cater to the ever-growing need for commercial blasting explosives. The factory manufactured several tonnes of water gel and other commercial explosives per week. Limited stocks of Chinese, British and other commercial explosives were stored in the island's Victorian explosive storage tunnels. During

270-452: A musical beat. Sulphur-crested cockatoos use facial expressions (with their feathers) to indicate positive emotions. Species that feed on the ground are very vulnerable to predator attack. The cockatoo has evolved a behavioural adaptation to protect against this: whenever there is a flock on the ground, there is at least one high up in a tree (usually a dead tree), keeping guard. This is so well known that it has even entered Australian slang:

324-435: A person keeping guard for sudden police raids on illegal gambling gatherings is referred to as a cockatoo or cocky for short. In some parts of Australia, sulphur-crested cockatoos can be very numerous, and may cause damage to cereal and fruit crops and newly planted tree seedlings, as well as soft timber on houses and outdoor furniture. Consequently, they are sometimes shot or poisoned as pests . A government permit

378-619: A significant role in the support of the Royal Hong Kong Police in anti smuggling operation in Hong Kong waters, especially in the heyday of seaborne smuggling during the mid-1980s to mid-1990s. Search and Rescue (SAR) was provided by all branches of the British Forces in Hong Kong may be called upon for aid to civil defence as well as search and rescue operations in times of emergency. Prior to 1990–1991, British Forces ( British Army )

432-414: A source of food. The behavior spreads among the birds by imitation. In captivity some will spontaneously dance to music with a variety of unique moves. These birds are very long-lived, and can live upwards of 70 years in captivity, although they only live to about 20–40 years in the wild. They have been known to engage in geophagy , the process of eating clay to detoxify their food. These birds produce

486-707: A very fine powder to waterproof themselves instead of oil as many other birds do. The sulphur-crested cockatoo is a seasonal breeder in Australia; little is known about its breeding behaviour in New Guinea. In southern Australia, the breeding season is from August to January, whereas in northern Australia the season is from May to September. The nest is a bed of wood chips in a hollow in a tree. Like many other parrots it competes with others of its species and with other species for nesting sites. Two to three eggs are laid and incubation lasts between 25–27 days. Both parents incubate

540-424: Is overall white, while the underwing and -tail are tinged yellow. The expressive crest is yellow. The bill is black, the legs are grey, and the eye-ring is whitish. Males typically have almost black eyes, whereas the females have a more red or brown eye, but this requires optimum viewing conditions to be seen. The differences between the subspecies are subtle. C. g. fitzroyi is similar to the nominate race but lacks

594-881: Is required for any culling, because the birds are a protected species under the Australian Commonwealth Law. Many have assumed that the human feeding of sulphur-crested cockatoos have caused many issues for the birds, including pest behaviour and disease in many localities. Numerous places around Australia like the Surf Coast in Victoria and the Blue Mountains in New South Wales have had residents complain and rules be constructed to forbid locals and visitors in towns and national parks from hand-feeding cockatoos. Sulphur-crested cockatoos may no longer be imported into

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648-703: Is responsible for search and rescue operations, air ambulance services, and other air services for the Hong Kong Government . The GFS also took over some responsibilities from the Royal Air Force and the Army Air Corps. The Hong Kong Police Force also has a highly trained and equipped counter terrorism unit, the Special Duties Unit , trained by United Kingdom's SAS and SBS , and a Marine Police force. These forces have been heavily armed since before

702-902: The Battle of Hong Kong , by the Empire of Japan . After the Second World War and the end of the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong , the British military reestablished a presence. As a result of the Chinese Civil War , the British Army raised the 40th Infantry Division and dispatched it to garrison Hong Kong. It later left for combat in the Korean War , and the defense of the territory was taken up by additional British forces who were rotated from Europe. The garrison

756-488: The Cenderawasih Bay and Milne Bay . There are four recognised subspecies: Within Australia, sulphur-crested cockatoos of the nominate race have also been introduced to Perth , which is far outside the natural range. Outside Australia, they have been introduced to Singapore , where their numbers have been estimated to be between 500 and 2000. They have also been introduced to Palau and New Zealand . In New Zealand,

810-631: The Commander British Forces . The Governor of Hong Kong , being a representative of the British sovereign , was the Commander-in-Chief of the British Forces in the colony. The Governor was advised by the Commander British Forces in Hong Kong (CBF) on all military actions. During the 1980s and 1990s, the CBF was normally a career Major General or Lieutenant General from the British Army. Until 1966,

864-599: The Convention of Peking . It was initially used for quarrying by the British, hence the English name for the island. In the 1850s it was the site of a prison. A Royal Navy Radio Interception and Direction-finding Station was established on the island in 1935. From 1935 to 1939, the base was the main radio interception unit for the Far East Combined Bureau , which was four miles (6.4 kilometres) away across

918-546: The Hong Kong Military Service Corps and their associate land units. The Hong Kong Infantry Brigade served as the main garrison formation. After the outbreak of the Second World War, the garrison was reinforced with British Indian Army and Canadian Army units. A second brigade, the Kowloon Infantry Brigade , was formed to assist in commanding the expanded force. The garrison was defeated during

972-655: The Korean War , Opium War , Boxer Rebellion and the Malayan Emergency are not included in the list. The majority of infantry battalions were Ghurkas who were permanently based in Hong Kong after Indian partition. Major formations of the British Army in Hong Kong included: Royal Engineers and Queen's Gurkha Engineers Royal Signals and Queen's Gurkha Signals A list of British Army installations in Hong Kong: The Royal Navy and Royal Marines

1026-553: The Star Ferry terminal in Kowloon. Additional boats were provided by 415 Maritime Unit RCT and crewed by Local Employed Personnel (LEPs). During the 1960s, 70s and 80s, the island was used as a 'Rest and Recuperation' resort, having several chalet style bungalows built around the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes shop, restaurant and swimming pool complex on the South Shore. There was also

1080-680: The United States as a result of the Wild Bird Conservation Act (WBCA). However, they have been bred in captivity, with Eleonora and Triton cockatoos the most common subspecies seen in aviculture in the USA and Europe. They are socially demanding pets and have a natural desire to chew wood and other hard and organic materials. They are also loud, often unleashing loud squawks or piercing screeches. They may also make aggressive, unpredictable movements which can frighten people and animals unaware of

1134-575: The naval base is now operated by the People's Liberation Army Navy . The island was connected to the Kowloon peninsula by the West Kowloon Reclamation in the 1990s to provide land for the construction of the road and railway network to the new Hong Kong International Airport at Chek Lap Kok , and for the Container Terminal 8 of Kwai Tsing Container Terminals . Stonecutters Island is

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1188-422: The 1970s and 80s, the island was also the forward operating base (FOB) of a Royal Navy Hovercraft unit deployed to assist the Hong Kong government with anti-illegal immigration operations. The Royal Navy unit (Naval Party 1009) was under the control of Cmdr Chris Stafford and two SRN6 Mk6 Hovercraft were continually operated until 1985 when the unit was finally disbanded. Some buildings or military facilities within

1242-578: The British garrison in Hong Kong in the post Second World War era. For more information concerning the British garrison during the Second World War and earlier, see the Battle of Hong Kong . Prior to and during the Second World War , the garrison was composed of British Army battalions and locally enlisted personnel (LEPs) who served as regular members in the Hong Kong Squadron of the Royal Navy or

1296-539: The British garrison supported the Royal Hong Kong Police in quelling the disturbance. Until 1995, the safety of much of the Sino-Hong Kong border was the responsibility of the British forces and as such contributed greatly to the interdiction of illegal immigrants (II). As the preparation of the handover of Hong Kong to China in 1997, that responsibility was passed on to the Hong Kong Police . The Royal Navy played

1350-551: The CBF was an ex-officio member of the Legislative Council. Throughout the years of British rule in Hong Kong, a variety of British Army units spent various periods of time in the colony as resident units. In latter stages of the post-war period, British army units were sent to Hong Kong on a rotational basis for a period of three years. The following list contains resident units only and those which stayed in Hong Kong for short durations for re-supply or acclimatisation during

1404-710: The Hong Kong Government also maintained an "airforce". This airforce as per the land unit of RHKR (V), was an arm of the Hong Kong Government, supported by RAF personnel seconded to serve in the Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force. Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force 1970–1993 – handed over to GFS Royal Air Force units which visited or were stationed in Hong Kong included: Sources indicate that 444 Signals Unit (SU) formed officially within No. 90 (Signals) Group RAF , Strike Command with effect from 16 August 1971, and

1458-570: The Ngong Shuen Chau Barracks are now graded historic buildings. Stonecutters Island was captured by the Japanese Imperial Army on 11   December 1941, following heavy shelling. Merchant ships in the island's docks were scuttled, and demolitions were carried out at Kowloon Naval Yard and on the island. During World War II , radio installations on the island were used by the Japanese for military purposes and for extending

1512-623: The RN in Hong Kong: The Royal Air Force was the smallest contingent of the British Forces and was stationed in both Kai Tak Airport as well as the airfield in the New Territories known as Sek Kong . No. 28 (AC) Squadron and the larger Royal Air Force infrastructure located to RAF Sek Kong in the late 1970s leaving Royal Air Force logistics elements to maintain operations at Kai Tak, e.g. RAF movers and suppliers remained to maintain

1566-528: The Royal Navy took over care and custody of the military explosives at the site. Civilian explosive storage and issues was controlled by civilian contractors. The Royal Navy retained care and custody until the colony was transferred to China in 1997. Before then, it was the training and HQ depot of the Hong Kong Military Service Corps . The island was policed by Indian Sikhs , because traditionally they neither smoke nor drink alcohol. The Army Department Police (ADP), as they were known, saw continuous service on

1620-698: The Second World War: RN ships and land units in Hong Kong during the Second World War: Auxiliary Patrol Vessels in Hong Kong during the Second World War: RN formations and units in Hong Kong (Post-Second World War): RN and RFA ships visited or posted to Hong Kong after the Second World War: Royal Marines: A list of naval facilities used or built by the RN in Hong Kong: A list of facilities used or built by

1674-583: The accompanying affection. One cockatoo called Fred was still alive at 100 years of age in 2014. Cocky Bennett of Tom Ugly's Point in Sydney was a celebrated sulphur-crested cockatoo who reached an age of 100 years or more. He had lost his feathers and was naked for much of his life, and died in the early years of the twentieth century. His body was stuffed and preserved after death. Another 'cocky', born in 1921 and residing in Arncliffe with his owner Charlie Knighton,

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1728-435: The eggs and raise the nestlings. The nestling period is between 9 and 12 weeks, and the young fledglings remain with their parents for a number of months after fledging. Sulphur-crested cockatoos have a range of visually observable expressions. A 2009 study involving an Eleonora cockatoo (the subspecies Cacatua galerita eleonora ) named Snowball found that sulphur-crested cockatoos are capable of synchronizing movements to

1782-514: The elements of the British Army , Royal Navy (including Royal Marines ) and Royal Air Force stationed in British Hong Kong . The Governor of Hong Kong also assumed the position of the commander-in-chief of the forces and the Commander British Forces in Hong Kong took charge of the daily deployment of the troops. Much of the British military left prior to the handover of Hong Kong to China in 1997. The present article focuses mainly on

1836-739: The functional control of the Controller DCN, Ministry of Defence. On 1 August 1975, administrative and engineering responsibility for all of the units of RAF Hong Kong, including 444 SU, were transferred from NEAF to RAF Strike Command – functional control of these units being retained by the Vice Chief of the Air Staff via Commander RAF Hong Kong. Subsequently, with the disbandment of HQ NEAF on 31 March 1976, control of RAF Hong Kong and its component units were transferred in total to Strike Command. On 28 March 1976, RAF Gan closed and 6 SU disbanded formally on

1890-559: The handover in 1997, and are within the portfolio of the Secretary for Security (which, before 1973, was named Secretary for Defence). The Fire Service Department also took over some diving rescue responsibilities from the British Forces Overseas. The Royal Hong Kong Regiment (The Volunteers) was disbanded in 1995 prior to the handover in 1997. It was funded by and was a branch of the Hong Kong Government, yet under command of

1944-642: The harbour in the naval dockyard. After World War II the island became host to British Army units including 415 Maritime Unit RCT and the Ammunition Sub-Depot RAOC. Explosive storage became more important following the 1967 riots and the Mines Division elected to have all commercial explosives stored on Stonecutters prior to being issued to the various blasting sites around the colony. British Royal Army Ordnance Corps soldiers oversaw all commercial explosive issues post-1968 until 1994, at which time

1998-581: The introduced populations may number less than 1000. This species has also been recorded as established in Hawaii and from various islands in Wallacea (e.g. Kai Islands and Ambon ), but it is unclear if it has managed to become established there. Sulphur-crested cockatoos are 44–55 cm (17.5–21.5 in) long, with the Australian subspecies larger than subspecies from New Guinea and nearby islands. The plumage

2052-462: The island during the British era. They enjoyed field hockey, and were often seen playing bare-footed on the field. During the early 1980s, the ADP boasted two Indian national hockey players. It was common to see their blue pagris (turbans) drying in the sun outside their barracks. The Royal Navy continued to provide a ferry service (known as T-Boats) connecting the islanders with HMS Tamar on Hong Kong and

2106-750: The islands of Indonesia . They can be locally very numerous, leading to them sometimes being considered pests . A highly intelligent bird, they are well known in aviculture , although they can be demanding pets. In Australia, sulphur-crested cockatoos can be found widely in the north and east, ranging from the Kimberley to as far south as Tasmania , but avoiding arid inland areas with few trees. They are numerous in suburban habitats in cities such as Adelaide , Melbourne , Canberra , Sydney , Brisbane and Perth . Except for highland areas, they occur throughout most of New Guinea and on nearby smaller islands such as Waigeo , Misool and Aru , and various islands in

2160-467: The logistical link between RAF Hong Kong and the United Kingdom. The squadron flew up to 8 Westland Wessex HC Mk 2 helicopters from RAF Sek Kong. Tasks included support of the civil power, support of the British Forces and search and rescue. About 20 years later, RAF personnel returned from Sek Kong to Kai Tak, mounting operations from that airport in the months prior to the 1997 handover. In addition,

2214-584: The range of transmission of the NHK Overseas Broadcasting Bureau. The Japanese (during the WW2 occupation) used the unique isolation of the island to house a snake farm. The snakes were milked of their venom to provide antidotes for their soldiers bitten on active duty in the Pacific theatre. Following the transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong to the People's Republic of China on 1   July 1997,

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2268-448: The same date, the latter's satellite communications equipment being transferred to 444 SU. 444SU was hosted at Stanley Fort by the British Army. Sources indicate that 444 SU disbanded on the 31 December 1977. A list of RAF Stations in Hong Kong: A list of Royal Air Force operations facilities: Search and rescue operations conducted by the RAF and Royal Navy were later transferred to

2322-399: The site of a large sewage treatment facility known as Stonecutters Island Sewage Treatment Works. Since the facility was built in 2001, it has reduced the amount of E. coli in the nearby water by 99 percent, while other pollutants have been reduced by 70-80 percent, allowing coral to return to Victoria Harbour and make Hong Kong's beaches safe for swimming again. Stonecutters Bridge ,

2376-702: The sulphur-crested cockatoo is easily confused with the smaller yellow-crested cockatoo or the blue-eyed cockatoo with a differently shaped crest and a darker blue eye-ring. Sulphur-crested cockatoos' distinctive raucous calls can be very loud, which is a result of an adaptation in order to travel through the forest environments in which they live, including tropical and subtropical rainforests. These birds are naturally curious, as well as very intelligent. They have adapted very well to European settlement in Australia and live in many urban areas. Being intelligent, in Sydney , Australia, they have learned how to open garbage bins as

2430-569: The territory shortly before the Second World War. The greatest test was in 1941, when Japanese forces invaded Hong Kong, leading to the 44-month-long Japanese occupation of Hong Kong . Internal Security was the responsibility of the Hong Kong Government , in particular the Royal Hong Kong Police . It was supported by British Forces in Hong Kong should it be called upon to do so. During the Hong Kong 1967 riots , in which 51 people were killed,

2484-407: The wild as a family unit . Sulphur-crested cockatoos, along with many other parrots, are susceptible to psittacine beak and feather disease , a viral disease, which causes birds to lose their feathers and grow grotesquely shaped beaks. The disease occurs naturally in the wild, and in captivity. British Forces Overseas Hong Kong#Royal Navy British Forces Overseas Hong Kong comprised

2538-442: The yellow on the ear tufts and has slightly blueish skin around the eye. C. g. eleonora is similar to C. g. fitzroyi but is smaller and has broader feathers in the crest, and C. g. triton is similar to C. g. eleonora except it has a smaller bill. It is similar in appearance to the three species of corellas found in Australia. However, corellas are smaller, lack the prominent yellow crest and have pale bills. In captivity,

2592-458: Was 76 years old in the late 1990s. Their longevity can cause a problem of being a beloved pet and bonding to an adult who then, as they age together, dies while the bird is in their prime but has lost their life partner. The deceased owner's children are often faced with the problem of how to rehome the bird. RSPCA in Canberra regularly form large flocks of these birds which are then rehabilitated to

2646-558: Was established as a lodger unit at Stanley Fort, Hong Kong. The primary role of 444 SU was to act as a ground station for the Skynet satellite communications system, responsibility for operating the Skynet system having been vested in the RAF in the late 1960s, under the Rationalisation of Inter Services Telecommunications (RISTACOM) agreement. It would appear that the equipment operated by 444 SU had been located previously at RAF Bahrain (HMS Jufair). On 1 May 1972, No. 90 (Signals) Group

2700-453: Was further supplemented by LEPs, and Gurkhas . The latter came from Nepal, but formed part of the British Army. The size of the garrison during the Cold War fluctuated and ended up being based around one brigade. The Royal Hong Kong Regiment , a military unit which was part of the Hong Kong Government, was trained and organised along the lines of a British Territorial Army unit. As such, it

2754-555: Was responsible for patrolling and enforcing border control between Hong Kong and China. This role was passed on the Hong Kong Police Force years before the handover in 1997. Some HK nationals who served in the British military were deployed overseas, including Operation Granby. The territory has nevertheless maintained a Government Flying Service , formerly the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force , that

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2808-583: Was stationed in Hong Kong right from the beginning of the establishment of Hong Kong as a British Colony. For the most part, the Royal Naval base was located in Hong Kong Island at HMS Tamar . The Prince of Wales Building was added later in the 1970s. Before the handover, the naval base was moved to Stonecutters Island next to the Government docks. RN and RFA ships visited or posted to Hong Kong prior to

2862-502: Was supported by British Army regular personnel holding key positions. These British Army personnel, for their duration of service to the Royal Hong Kong Regiment, were seconded to the Hong Kong Government. In the post-WWII era, the majority of the regiment's members were local citizens of Chinese descent. Before 1 July 1997, the British government had the political commitment to safeguard the territory against external and internal threats. Commonwealth forces were also deployed to station in

2916-478: Was transferred from RAF Strike Command to RAF Maintenance Command and as a consequence 444 SU became a Maintenance Command unit on this date. On 31 August 1973, both 90 (Signals) Group and Maintenance Command were disbanded, to be replaced on the following day by the new RAF Support Command . All of the units and locations previously controlled by the disbanded formations were transferred to Support Command with effect from 1 September 1973 and 444 SU therefore became

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