The Star Ferry Riot 50 cent riot - 1966
My focus in this article is to set out the details of an event that foreshadowed the protracted unrest Hong Kong faced in 1967. The Star Ferry Riot exemplified the fragility of law and order in Hong Kong during the colonial era. With simmering tensions in society, one issue flares into a significant disturbance. There is a pattern here that repeated itself with the 1981 Taxi Riot and the 1989 disturbances. More recently, the 2016 Chinese New Year riot in Mongkok has parallels.
The information here comes from various sources, including the National Archives in London.
The Star Ferry Riot took place in Kowloon on the nights of the 6th, 7th and 8th April 1966. The geography is fascinating. The nexus of the disturbance is the Nathan Road corridor; Dundas Street through to Austin Road. The same as in 1981 and 1989. This article concentrates on the police response to events. It does not dwell on the underlying social tensions except the lead-in.
Our story begins on 1st October 1965, when the Star Ferry Company applied to the Colonial Secretary to raise fares by 50 cents.
The public and sections of the media expressed dissatisfaction at the proposed increase. Thus, in November 1965, Urban Councillor Mrs Elsie Elliott began a signature campaign against the rise. She presented this to the Governor at Government House on 23rd November with 23,000 signatures.
Henceforth Mrs Elliot became the spearhead of the opposition to the fare increase. She gave press interviews and sought to organise resistance. It is fair to say that her efforts enjoyed strong public support, especially from the Chinese media and working people. In the days before the Cross-Harbour Tunnel and the MTR, the Star Ferry was a crucial transport link. The working poor of Kowloon would suffer the most significant hardship from any increase. While the affluent segment of society, residing on Hong Kong Island, remained unconcerned.
The matter went before the Transport Advisory Committee on 1st December. Mrs Elliot, a member of the committee, disagreed with the increased fare albeit a lesser amount than sought by the Company. She submitted a motion of dissent by memorandum. Mrs Elliot presented a second petition with over 155,000 signatures in January 1966.
The matter then went on the back-burner until Mrs Elliot's note leaked to the press on 19th March 1966, which reignited the public debate.
4th April 1966.
Things took a different direction at about 9 am on 4th April 1966. A 25-year-old male, So Sau Chung (蘇守忠), appeared on the Central Star Ferry concourse. He wore a jacket with the English words "Hail Elsie, Block Star Ferry Increase" and "democratic". Chinese characters made the same statement, plus mentioning a hunger strike. He soon attracted the attention of commuters, with the police called to investigate.
Mr So told officers he was on hunger strike. Inspired by Mrs Elliot's campaign, he's operating alone. He remained in position on the concourse throughout the day as the police took no action. Mrs Elliot visited to speak with him later that day. Mr So left as the Star Ferry closed for the night.
5th April 1966
The next day, the Chinese press praised So's courage in standing against the fare increase. At 10:45 am he returned to the Star Ferry concourse. He continued to attract attention with the public applauding his protest.
At about 3 pm a Eurasian youth, 19-year old Brian Raggensack, joined So. At this point, a large crowd gathered to observe the pair, with estimates of 60 plus people loitering in the area. The police advised So he was causing an obstruction and needed to move. After ignoring two warnings, So is arrested. As the police lead him away, the crowd jeers the officers.
Also present is Lo Kei (盧麒), who will later organise some of the protests. He goes on a local radio channel asking the public to take to the streets.
At Central Police Station, So is charged for obstruction and offered bail. He declines. Friends arrive at the station offering to cover the bond. So is refusing and was thus placed in detention pending a court appearance.
Meanwhile, Raggensack led a group of ten-odd teenagers to Government House. He handed a note in at the gate protesting the fare increase.
But Raggensack had not finished his role in this whole episode. Next, he proceeded to the Urban Council Chamber, where a meeting was underway. Raggensack briefed Mrs Elliot on the arrest. Immediately, accompanied by Raggensack, Mrs Elliot went to Central Police Station. She spoke with So. Again, So declined bail, which Mrs Elliot offered to pay. So's mother then attended. She sought to have him stop the hunger strike. It's purported that So replied that as "the reincarnation of Jesus Christ he must save the people".
On 6th April, So appeared in Western Court to plead not guilty to the obstruction charge. He's remanded in custody until his father and a pastor persuaded him to accept $50- bail. By lunchtime So is free. He immediately went back to the Star Ferry concourse. A crowd of about 300 people gathered to hear him speak. He'd started his speech when the police approached. So fled immediately, jumping in a taxi.
He took no further part in the events. Except to say he's convicted of obstruction on 13th April, and bound over on a bond of HK$200 for two years.
So returned to work teaching English, then later became a monk in 1996. He reappeared for the 50th anniversary of the protest, giving press interviews. To some surprise, he came out against Occupy Central. He criticised the Occupy people as "grandstanding, and opposing everything".
Across the harbour, in Kowloon, the fare increase was also causing discontent. On 5th April at about 7:30 pm, a small group of males gathered on the Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry concourse to collect signatures. By about 9 pm, Raggensack appeared to began addressing a crowd. He then set off, with a group of followers, down Nathan Road chanting slogans. His group walked as far north as Bute Street in Mongkok. They returned to the Star Ferry before midnight.
The group following Raggensack had grown to some 150 persons. At about midnight, the crowd moved off to wander through Tsim Sha Tsui. They chanted slogans decrying the fare increase. More people joined the protest, as it made it way north along Nathan Road. They headed through Mongkok towards the Shek Mei Area. By now it's an estimated 400 plus persons, the vast majority being young people.
At various times the crowd stopped to hear speeches from Raggensack and others. The protesters sat in the road and blocked the traffic flows at intervals. The police monitored the group from a distance. They only took action to keep the traffic flowing.
The marchers continued westward into Cheung Sha Wan then the Lai Chi Kok area. At one point under police guidance, they formed a single file to allow traffic to move on Un Chau Street. Zig-zagging through the street, the crowd rested at the Shek Kip Mei football ground. Then they walked off again.
6th April 1966
At about 2:30 am the crowd met the commander of the Kowloon police, a senior assistant commissioner. He'd arrived to take command of the situation in the vicinity of Tai Po Road and Poplar Street in Mongkok. He addressed the leaders telling them if they wished to proceed, they must not block the roads. Some in the group became agitated, although 50 odd persons left the scene.
The remaining marchers, numbering about 300, proceeded south along Nathan Road. They're orderly having taken heed of the police warning. A platoon of the Emergency Unit Kowloon (some 41 officers) monitors the situation. Traffic diversions are in place, although given the lateness the streets are less busy.
The marchers returned to the Star Ferry concourse. The police then put in a blockade on Canton and Salisbury Road, telling the marchers to disperse in small groups.
Shortly after this, the crowd set off down the wrong side of Salisbury Road. Stopped by the police cordon, some sat in the road. At the behest of the police, a Chinese TV cameraman spoke to the crowd advising them to leave in peace. He's jeered and mocked.
At about 4 am its agreed small groups can leave the area and disperse. But the second batch departing then caught up with the first group. The whole lot then rushed back to the Star Ferry concourse. The senior assistant commissioner approaches the crowd intent on further negotiations. He's surrounded and then punched from behind.
The police swung into action, making four arrests. The assistant commissioner arrests one youth. Seeing the police action, the crowd breaks up. While a few small groups try to reform when challenged by the police, they soon disperse.
As a result of these incidents, Hong Kong Island and Kowloon police are on an emergency footing from 6 am on 6th April. Anti-riot companies form up ready to respond to any disorder.
The Commissioner of Police calls a meeting at Police HQ. It's assessed that the potential for severe disorder exists. In particular, as large numbers of young people are involved in the protests.
The terrible events of 1956 are fresh in the memories of the police commanders. Caught off guard by that disturbance, which led to 59 deaths, they are keen to stop things escalating. It's hoped that a rapid intervention on this occasion could nip the trouble in the bud early. The Police Training Contingent (PTC) company moves from Fanling to Wong Tai Sin Police Station by noon.
During the afternoon a crowd gathers at Star Ferry Tsim Sha Tsui listening to a man protesting the fare increase. He's arrested for obstruction and led away. Police then maintain a presence on the concourse.
At 7 pm that evening, the police in Kowloon and Hong Kong Island mobilise. The Auxiliary Police go on standby at 8 pm, while a company of the British Army is on one-hour readiness.
One incident causes a misunderstanding that triggers trouble. At about 7:30 pm, the police encounter a group of about 30 young people marching on Canton Road near Jordan Road. This group moved aside to allow vehicles to pass. They are cooperative and speak with the police. They soon attract a crowd of 500 plus onlookers. The four leaders of the group agree to board a police vehicle for carriage to Star Ferry. They then left for Hong Kong Island.
Some in the crowd misread the situation, believing the four are under arrest. Thinking the leaders are heading to Yaumati Police Station, they set off in that direction.
Meanwhile, sporadic reports of crowds forming across Kowloon come in. Police patrols rush back and forth to verify the situation. Before CCTV, with patchy radio coverage, gathering a picture of developments is challenging.
Then, at about 8:40 pm, the police see some 300 persons advancing towards Yaumati Police Station. This is the crowd who mistakenly believe the police have arrested four people. This agitated group blocks Public Square Street. The station goes into lockdown. The Yaumati anti-riot company (Y Coy) take up a defensive line blocking the route to the station. The disperse order goes out. This repeated warning remains unheeded before Y Coy baton charge. This move had the desired effect, as the crowd fled the area with one arrest made. By 9 pm the area is quiet.
Then at 9:35 pm spotters report some 500 people gathered at Star Ferry Tsim Sha Tsui listening to speeches. Some are chanting slogans. Y Coy arrives to investigate this group. En route, Y Coy encounters a large crowd on Nathan Road, led by a single youth heading north. He's arrested, with the crowd dispersing as traffic flows resumed. It's evident a good part of the group were casual onlookers. Y Coy then proceeded to the Star Ferry Concourse, reporting the area quiet.
Things began to escalate at 9:55 pm as a crowd of 1000 formed at the junction of Nathan Road and Austin Road. Banners supporting the Nationalist Government are on display. This crowd starts to move northwards occupying the west side of Nathan Road. The appearance of the Nationalist flags suggests a coordinated political protest. Later analysis suggests this is unlikely as no further Nationalist banners appear.
Y Coy immediately drives north of this procession, passing it on Nathan Road near the junction with Public Square Street. As the Coy goes-by, it comes under a hail of stones and bamboo poles from the crowd.
Y Coy deploy from its vehicles, forms a line and baton-charged the crowd. In the melee, several officers are hit and injured by stones. Nonetheless, the rioters dispersed. Y Coy stood down from this action, returning to Yaumati Police Station.
It's now evident that a cat and mouse game has developed. The crowd is dispersing when the police appear and reforming later. The side streets off Nathan Road offer out-flanking movement options that defeat police cordon lines. This pattern of movement repeats itself throughout the night.
At 10:25 pm Emergency Unit Car Three (EUK 3) comes under attack on Nathan Road near Public Square Street. Then reports of a large crowd on Nathan Road near Gascoigne Road come in. The chief superintendent Kowloon (CSP K) is in the area. The mob bombards his vehicle. Two inspectors and a staff sergeant accompanying him sustain injuries. It's decided to deploy three companies to the scene, with Y Coy coming from Yaumati Police Station. K HQ Coy and the PTC Coy come from further afield.
By now widespread rioting is underway on Nathan Road. Public buses are burning and police vehicles damaged. Traffic comes to a halt.
At 10:45 pm HQ Coy arrives at the junction of Nathan Road and Man Ming Lane. The CSP K joined them as warnings to disperse go out to the rioters. These warnings ignored, the Company fires a volley of tear smoke. The PTC Coy now arrives, approaching the Nathan Road/Gascoigne Road junction. It fires a salvo of tear smoke into the same crowd. As the smoke drifted down Nathan Road, it pushes back the rioters.
Sir David Akers-Jones complains in his memoirs that his dinner party in Kowloon is interrupted by tear smoke. He and his wife fled through a rear door to escape the mob. His car parked outside survived the night's violence.
The Marine Coy deploys out of Tsim Sha Tsui Police Station. Dispatched north, they take up a position at the Nathan Road/Public Square Street junction. Gradually a strategy is emerging of containing the crowds at the south end of the Kowloon peninsula. To further this aim, the Sham Shui Po Coy (SSPO Coy) sweep southwards down Nathan Road.
While this has the desired effect of containing the trouble at the tip of Kowloon, rioters continue to run amok in the back streets of Yaumati. Dodging down the alleyways, lanes and over rooftops, they out-flank the police. Fires were now burning out of control in several locations. The Fire Services respond. One fire engine is damaged as the rioters deny fireman access to the area. As a result, some fires burn on unchecked.
Then at 11 pm, in an unprecedented move, the entire Force mobilises. New Territories command and the Marine Police adopt anti-riot structures.
The whole of the police force and a good part of the British military now stands poised to deal with any disorder. Mobilisation put 2,655 uniformed officers and 347 CID on the ground.
At 11:50 pm Emergency Unit Car 8 (EU K 8) manned by a Sergeant and three constables are caught in a traffic jam on Nathan Road. Near the junction with Dundas Street, the vehicle gets boxed between several buses. The crew are unable to make progress. It's soon surrounded by a violent crowd, who smash the windscreen and side windows.
The crew exit the vehicle to take up a defensive circle. The rioters must not get access to the weapons on the car. Immediately the crowd surge in yelling "Burn them". The Sergeant draws his revolver, firing one round at the knees of a ringleader. This shot halts the crowd for a while. But armed with bamboo poles and clubs, the rioters come rushing in again.
In fear of their life, the Sergeant and two constables open fire with revolvers. The rioters retreat and make no further attempt to rush the vehicle. It's unclear if anyone gets hit.
A Marine platoon eventually reaches EU K 8 at about midnight. The Coy fought its way north by repeated use of tear gas and baton charges, driving rioters away to clear a path to the officers. The relieved officers of EU K 8 attached themselves to the Marine Coy for the rest of the night.
The HQ Coy receives instructions to proceed south on Nathan Road on foot to clear obstructions. Having gone less than 200 yards, it encounters a mob of around 500 persons, who retreated as the police advanced. On reaching the intersection with Jordan Road, the crowd halted and began a barrage of stone-throwing. Elements broke off into the side streets to attack from that direction. At around midnight the Coy replied with a salvo of tear gas into the Nathan Road/Jordan Road junction. The mob moves south, smashing up shop fronts as it moved off.
7th April 1966.
HQ Coy pressed on southwards, while rioters on rooftops keep up a sustained attack on the police. HQ Coy fires volleys of tear smoke as it presses on into Tsim Sha Tsui.
After midnight, the order goes out to use firearms if the situation merits.
HQ Coy encounters a makeshift barrier of smashed motorbikes, litter bins and debris across Nathan Road near Austin Road. A crowd of about 1000 is on the other side of the barrier stoning the police. Again warnings to disperse are ignored. HQ Coy fires tear smoke. It then advances south through the junction as the crowd moves off.
Outside Chung King Mansions, debris rains down the HQ Coy. Nonetheless, it sweeps on; pushing and dispersing the rioters into the side streets and adjacent shopping arcades.
Once again the rioters out-flank the police sweep line by running north along the side streets. They reappear behind the police line to the north on Nathan Road. HQ Coy responds. It about turns to advance north to confront the rioters, who disperse again. HQ Coy pushes as far as Austin Road. Here they make contact with KC Coy, who start a sweep northward on Nathan Road.
HQ Coy then returns to the Tsim Sha Tsui area. It takes up a position on the junction of Nathan and Salisbury Road, holding the southern tip of Kowloon. Nearby burning debris awaits a fire engine held back by a small, but determined, crowd of rioters. Officers chase off the rioters, and the fire extinguished.
By now the exhausted HQ Coy has made five arrests. They fought up and down Nathan Road for several hours in an unrelenting battle. At 1:45 am relief arrives as the Police Training School company (PTS Coy) crosses from Hong Kong Island. As it takes up position, rioters stone the officers from the rooftops of Chung King and Mirador Mansions. The PTS Coy responds with 12 rounds of tear smoke. The mood of the rioters is soon dampened as they withdraw indoors.
The PTS Coy maintains patrols in the Tsim Sha Tsui area and later enforced the curfew. HQ Coy goes on foot north towards Haiphong Road.
Given the violence, and with the police stretched, at 1 am, the Governor sanctions the use of the British Army. Further, a curfew starts at 1:30 am and last until 6 am on 7th April.
In the meantime, Y and PTC Coy start to get a handle on the crowds operating on the side streets in Yaumati. They split into platoons to work independently. Moving south from a line bounded by Gascoigne Road and Public Square Street, they chase the rioters.
At the same time, KC Coy is on Nathan Road to prevent the crowds from gathering there. Then KC Coy linked up with HQ Coy on Nathan Road near Haiphong Road. Later the KC Coy are ordered onto its vehicles and directed north to Dundas Street.
At 1:45 am, No. 1 Platoon Y Coy arrives at the junction of Nathan Road and Jordan Road. It finds a violent group of approximately one hundred rioters setting fire to vehicles. The platoon discharges tear smoke and open fire with revolvers and a single shot of 9mm from a Sterling. No casualties are seen, although the crowd scatters.
Shortly after Y Coy Commander arrives to join with two platoons. It's proposed to continue south with No. 1 Platoon on Nathan Road, while on the flanks are No. 2 and Nos. 3 Platoons. As the platoons started to move off, No. 2 Platoon is showered with debris from a flat on the 12th floor of the Lucky Building on Jordan Road. The Coy Commander directs warning small arms fire at the flat. The throwing stops. Again, it is unclear if anyone gets hit.
No. 1 Platoon had a similar incident outside Mirador Mansions as dustbins, bricks and flower pots fall. The pierced roof of the platoon vehicles tells a story. The platoon responds with small arms fire. In swift succession, the detachment then dispersed a crowd of 350 rioters outside Chung King Mansions with tear smoke.
The platoon then turned north, advancing on another crowd forming near Haiphong Road. Again, as the platoon moved it came under attack from the rooftops. Six rounds from a carbine put a stop to that. The platoon continued to clear the crowd with tear smoke. It then took up position on the junction of Nathan Road and Haiphong Road.
By now the rioters had grown tired and started to disperse from Nathan Road. Thus the platoons in Tsim Sha Tsui began to mount column patrols (8 men). The intent to keep the crowds from reforming. Meanwhile, projectiles rain down from the roof of Tsim Sha Tsui and Haiphong Mansions. Officers fire warning shots from small arms. It proved effective. The area returned to quiet as the disorder eased.
Y Coy assumed mobile patrols and withdrew at 4:45 am after a long, tense night. The Company discharged 182 rounds of tear smoke, plus 31 rounds from small arms. They made 13 arrests for various offences.
Further north in Mongkok, a separate series of events is unfolding. Small groups of rioters played chase with officers of the SSPO Coy in the vicinity of Shanghai, Portland, Dundas and Shantung Streets. Repeated baton charges kept the rioters on the move. Yet, they took full advantage of the side streets and alleyways to disperse.
At twenty minutes after midnight, the alarm sounded at the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank on the Nathan Road and Argyle Street junction. Two columns of SSPO Coy dispatched to the scene dispersed a crowd. The bank is intact but somewhat damaged. Security guards fought off attempts to force entry then extinguished fires started by the mob.
At 1:10 am the Fire Service HQ at the old Mongkok Police Station on Sai Yeung Choi Street is attacked with firebombs. These ignited the entrance area. Also, the Shaw Building opposite is on fire. A large crowd prevents firefighters fighting the blaze. Approaching police come under attack.
As people occupy the upper floors of the Shaw Building with the lower levels ablaze, a dangerous situation is developing. Tear smoke is proving ineffective, given the prevailing wind. Thus, SSPO Coy Commander orders his men to open fire to disperse the mob.
Sixteen rounds in rapid succession cause the mob to dash away. The fire is put out. Inside the Shaw Building, two looters are caught red-handed.
During the dispersal, the mob attacked the transport of SSPO Coy in Tung Choi Street. A lorry guard fires his revolver to protect the vehicles and the stores of ammunition.
At 2 am the Tong Mei Road Fire Station come under attack. Officers of SSPO Coy and the EU K Coy arrive to disperse a crowd of about 50 persons with nine arrested. Some of those detained have cans of kerosene with them. They intended to burn down the building.
Meanwhile, reports come in of an attack on the telephone exchange in Bute Street. Nos. 2 and 3 platoons of WTS Coy deal with this incident. At the same time, Nos. 1 platoon is dispersing rioters at the north end of Bute Street.
On arrival, the telephone exchange is burning with a hostile crowd of some 200 turning their attention to the police. One round fired at the ringleader, caused the rioters to flee. Nos 2 platoon gave chase, shooting tear smoke to push the rioters along. Meanwhile, Nos 3 platoon drove through the area dispersing any gatherings. The fire services then arrived to put out the fire.
At 2:45 am the situation in the area improved. The three WTS platoons mounted their vehicles to conduct a general patrol. By 5 am, the platoons stood-down back at base. The Company had made 15 arrests.
The PTC Coy engaged in Yaumati since 1100 pm on 6th April has succeeded in clearing Nathan Road between Waterloo and Jordan Road. It maintained patrols in the area, vigilant for any return of the rioters. At 2 am, the Coy moves north to enforce the curfew in the Sham Shui Po area. It stood down at 4 am. In a night of relentless action, it fired 103 tear smoke, 62 baton shells and made ten arrests.
The Marine Coy patrolled the Public Square Street area, before cordoning Pitt and Hamilton Streets. Nos 1 and 2 platoon fired tear smoke at rioters on Nathan Road. At 2:20 am Nos 3 platoon fired small arms as rioters stoned the police. This action drove them back with no casualties observed.
With many fires burning on and in the vicinity of Nathan Road, the Marine Coy moved to intervene. The Coy Commander discharged one round of carbine along Dundas Street at a crowd of four to five hundred. They fled into the adjacent streets.
Around 2 am the Marine Coy moved north on Nathan Road to link up with SSPO Coy near Argyle Street. The Coy then deployed to a false report that the China Light and Power HQ was under attack.
Later they returned to the Jordan Road area. Nos 1 Platoon engaged rioters with tear smoke making four arrests. Then the Coy deployed to Tsim Sha Tsui at 4:20 am to enforce the curfew and rest. The Marine Coy fired a total of four round 100 tear smoke rounds. It made seven arrests.
The KC Coy, in confusion, covered some of the same ground as others. It swept north up Nathan Road. At around 2 am it dispersed crowds at the junction of Dundas Street with tear smoke. It then sent platoons into the side streets to prevent out-flanking rioter. As activity in its area eased, the KC Coy reformed and withdrew at 4 am. In made 32 arrests and fired 82 rounds of tear smoke.
The SSPO Coy following the incident at Tong Mei Road Fire Station maintained patrols. Later At a crowd is dispersed while trying to attack the Post Office on Un Chau Street. The Coy Commander ordered .38 ammunition fired. The rioters then fled. SSPO Coy stood down at 8:35 am having made 13 arrests.
The Chief Superintendent Traffic Police led a small party to clear abandoned buses near the Kwong Wah Hospital. At around 2 am, he moved to Reclamation Street to deal with a coach on fire; while police extinguish the fire a gang of youths attacks. The Chief Superintendent fired his revolver, driving the attackers away.
HQ Coy relieved from Tsim Sha Tsui, now moved north to assist the Marine Coy with the false report of an attack on the China Light and Power HQ. Later at 2:15 am, the Coy encountered rioters looting at the junction of Yim Po Fong Street and Argyle Street. The looters fled with one arrested. Nos 2 Platoon guards the premises, as Nos 1 and 3 platoon take a well-earned rest. By stand-down, the HQ Coy had fired 259 rounds of tear smoke and arrested 17 persons.
Two companies arrived from Hong Kong Island to reinforce the stretched Kowloon officers. HQ HKI Coy crossed the harbour at about 3 am, and Western Coy at 4:30 am. Deployed in Yaumati and Hung Hom areas, they made nine arrests.
Gradually the violence eased as the commander Kowloon reported he had the situation under control.
Nonetheless, reinforcements continued to arrive.' A' Company, 1st Battalion The Queens Own Buffs arrived in the Waterloo Road area at about 5 am. They assisted with curfew action. The military took no further action that night.
At 6 am the curfew is lifted. Policing switched to mobile patrols and foot-patrols in strength. As the auxiliary police come on duty, they relieved the tired regulars. By 9 am HQ HKI Coy, W Coy and PTS Coy all returned to Hong Kong Island.
Life soon returns to normal. Cleaning crews from Urban Services remove the debris from the streets. Hong Kong Island remained peaceful throughout the night. Groups of youths with banners did appear but soon dispersed.
Trouble Flares Again in Kowloon
Kowloon remained calm on the 7th April until the early evening. The first sign of trouble is about 50 persons gathered near the Fire Services HQ. A youth addressed the crowd as police patrols converged on the scene.
The youth called on the people to attack the oil installations in Lai Chi Kok. The police moved in to arrest him and two others. The crowd then ran off. At about 7 pm, HQ Coy left its Kowloon base in search of the group, which is located on Reclamation Street near Shantung Street. The atmosphere is tense, but the gathering soon moves off again to disperse. HQ Coy then withdrew.
As a precaution, soldiers of 1st Battalion, The Queens Own Buffs deploy to police stations on standby.
At about 9:30 pm, a crowd of about 150 persons is at the junction of Argyle Street and Nathan Road. Three youths speak boosting of their activities the previous night. They invite others to join them. HQ Coy is dispatched to the scene. On arrival, it's greeted with a hail of stones. Tear smoke clears the crowd, who run off south. Eight youths fail to escape and are caught.
From 10 pm onwards crowds gather in Argyle Street, on Nathan Road and near Shantung Street. HQ Coy moves out again, managing to disperse the crowd with little effort. Some appeared to be idle onlookers.
By 10:30 pm the area is clear except for random hooligans throwing stones. In the meantime, Y Coy is patrolling Nathan Road south of Waterloo Road to disperse gatherings.
Then at 11 pm, CID officers report about 1000 assembled at the junction of Nathan Road and Shantung Street. The gathering is stopping vehicles, throwing stones and causing severe disruption. At the same time, further west on Shantung Street near Portland Street, a gang is assembling wooden barriers on the road.
HQ Coy encounters this crowd on Nathan Road and immediately comes under attack. Volleys of tear smoke push the rioters towards the Nathan Road/Soy Street junction. Two burning buses block Nathan Road, as the rioters maintain a bombardment of missiles. On the flanks, Y Coy sweeps eastward along Soy Street, Shantung Street and Nelson Street. It encounters no resistance. Yet, at the rear, the Coy vehicles face an assault by about 30 youths. Four rounds of small arms fire deter this group, with two arrested.
Y Coy then fell in behind HQ Coy to move north on Nathan Road. A crowd is forming near the junction with Fife Street. Meanwhile, at 11 pm the Sham Shui Po Coy deploys into Mongkok cordoning side-streets near Argyle Street and Waterloo Road. The area is quiet.
HQ Coy continued its advance northward on Nathan Road, passing the junction at Fife Street. The crowd ahead retreats, although still hostile it's not prepared to stand and fight. HQ Coy reaches the intersection of Nathan Road and Bute Street having fired tear smoke to disperse the crowd. Cars are burning in Bute Street.
At 11:30 pm the Marine Coy encounters a hostile crowd at the junction of Nathan Road and Dundas Street. About 250 hooligans set fires, then pelted the police with stones and bottles. The officers come under sustained attack as they try to clear the road of debris. Shots are fired at the advancing rioters. They disperse.
The officers then advanced to find two injured Chinese males. One has a gunshot to the lower chest. An ambulance conveys them to the hospital. The second man later died.
Around the same time, the military made their presence felt.' A' Coy 1st Battalion The Queen's Own Buffs formed a picket along Argyle Street, while 'B' Coy 1/2 Gurkha Rifles moved into Yaumati Police Station.
'A' Coy 1/2 Gurkha Rifles proceeded to the Bute Street Telephone Exchange. One vehicle is burning outside the complex. As the Gurkha's arrive, the rioters fled.
8th April 1966
From the available records, it appears that by midnight the deployments are as follows:-
HQ Coy reaches Dundas Street. Meanwhile, the Aux Coy arriving in Tong Mei Road faces rioters, who attempted to block them. Tear smoke drove the rioters back with three arrests made.
By now the WTS Coy accompanied by 'B' Coy 1/2 Gurkha Rifles is engaging a crowd of three hundred on Nathan Road near Gascoigne Road. WTS Coy uses tear smoke to advance south with the Gurkha's on the flanks. This tactic prevents the rioters from doubling back.
The mob on Nathan Roads builds to about 800. WTS Coy then conducts a baton charge. Before contact is made the rioters flee. WTS Coy then hold the junction of Nathan and Jordan Roads with the military in the side streets.
Reports of fires in Reclamation Street, Shanghai Street and the Waterloo Road come in.
At about 1:30 am a fire at Soy Street near Fa Yuen Street is burning out of control. Several parked cars are ablaze with rioters adding more debris. Officers of KC Coy arrive on the scene. They face a barrage of missiles from surrounding buildings. Volleys of tear smoke and baton shells had little effect. Small arms fire stops the bombardment.
HQ Coy returned to base at 1:30 am. During the night they'd discharged 149 tear smoke cartridges.
Small groups of rioters continued to play cat and mouse with the police in the Nathan Road and Jordon Road area. Tear smoke keeps the rioters moving.
The WTS Coy withdrew at about 2:30 am having made 19 arrests and fired 27 rounds of tear smoke.
The SSPO Coy is relieved by the PTC Coy in Yim Po Fong Street at about 2 am. The PTC Coy stood down at 3 am, having had a quiet deployment. They made no arrests and fired no weapons.
The fire in Shanghai Street mentioned earlier is attended by the Marine Coy. A crowd of some two hundred confront the police as they pull the fire apart to extinguish it. A baton charge pushed an estimated fifty people into Kam Tong Mansion on Waterloo Road. Officers then entered the building making 20 arrests.
The fire services working under police escorts face attacks throughout the night. At 1:30 am, a fire engine returning to Mong Kok Fire Station is attacked. The escorting police fired three baton shells to force back rioters.
At 2:30 am Aux Coy returned to its base at Wong Tai Sin Police Station. During the deployment, it made three arrests.
From 2:30 am onwards, rioting died down. Tired police withdrew as clean up crews from the Urban Services moved in. The curfew stops at 6 am.
At 3 pm on 8th April, the Governor signed a curfew order for Kowloon imposing a curfew between 7 pm, 8th April and 6 am, 9th April.
The police and military agree that army units will cordon the area of disturbance from the previous night. Police will patrol inside this zone mounting stop and search as necessary. Eight police companies will circulate to suppress any trouble. The zone covers from Tong Mei Road, Prince Edward Road and Sai Yee Street in the north to Public Square Street in the south.
At 7:30 pm, a platoon of the WTS Coy is patrolling on foot in the vicinity of Canton Road and Dundas Street when bottles and stones are thrown from an adjacent building. A cordon and sweep results in 11 arrests on the rooftop. A platoon en route to assist encounters a hostile crowd near Soy Street. Four rounds of tear smoke disperse the rioters.
The plan worked. The same applies overnight on 9th and 10th April. There are no further incidents except breaches of the curfew.
Some Observations
The disturbances of 1966 took place on the Kowloon peninsula. It's significant that the resettlement estates in north Kowloon were not involved. There is no evidence of central control nor triad involvement. The one instance of National banners is an aberration, whereas observers report that a good number of rioters appeared to be having fun.
The police judged they'd handled the situation well. The training for anti-riot duties is proving its worth. At the later public enquiry it's revealed that throughout the disturbance, the police fired 1,198 tear smoke rounds; 90 wooden baton shells; 41 rounds of .300 carbine; 43 rounds of .38 revolver and ten rounds of 9mm.
Small arms fire proved effective in discouraging attacks on the police from rooftops. But, it's evident from the lack of injuries that officers discharged their weapons as a warning rather than at specific targets.
In total, 905 face arrest and charges; another 560 are detained without charge. The majority of those held are male aged between 16 and 20. The damage to property includes 57 buses including several wholly burnt out.
Ten police officers and 16 civilians sustained injuries. The number of casualties is probably much higher, with many failing to report. One civilian is dead from a gunshot wound.
These events proved a foretaste of things to come in 1967. Indeed, this dress rehearsal affirmed the merits of the anti-riot forces.
The inquiry into the riots praised the police and the military for their restraint. Although, Mrs Elliott came in for some criticism. She claimed that the uprising was a 'black flag' operation, orchestrated by corrupt police officers to discredit her.
While right that corruption existed in the police, in this regard, she's way off target. Also, she alleged that Brian Raggensack is a police agent. Her allegations caused ridicule from some quarters. The public took a different view. She gets reelected as an Urban Councillor with 80% of the vote.
Later, Lo Kei is convicted of inciting the crowd to interfere with justice. His evidence at the inquiry gets dismissed as 'studded with fantasy.'
Several commentators have castigated the inquiry for its short-sightedness in not recognising broader social issues. The government sought to portray the events of 1966 as apolitical. Yet, it's undeniable that simmering tensions over corruption, housing and economic conditions contributed to a sense of agitation.
Here I'm not seeking to make judgments or to contribute to any debate about the virtues and failings of colonial rule in Hong Kong. The broader question of the causes of the riot I'll leave to others to debate.
Nonetheless, the colonial authorities recognised failings and made changes. These included the introduction of the district officers to better understand and communicate with the population.
The information here comes from various sources, including the National Archives in London.
The Star Ferry Riot took place in Kowloon on the nights of the 6th, 7th and 8th April 1966. The geography is fascinating. The nexus of the disturbance is the Nathan Road corridor; Dundas Street through to Austin Road. The same as in 1981 and 1989. This article concentrates on the police response to events. It does not dwell on the underlying social tensions except the lead-in.
Our story begins on 1st October 1965, when the Star Ferry Company applied to the Colonial Secretary to raise fares by 50 cents.
The public and sections of the media expressed dissatisfaction at the proposed increase. Thus, in November 1965, Urban Councillor Mrs Elsie Elliott began a signature campaign against the rise. She presented this to the Governor at Government House on 23rd November with 23,000 signatures.
Henceforth Mrs Elliot became the spearhead of the opposition to the fare increase. She gave press interviews and sought to organise resistance. It is fair to say that her efforts enjoyed strong public support, especially from the Chinese media and working people. In the days before the Cross-Harbour Tunnel and the MTR, the Star Ferry was a crucial transport link. The working poor of Kowloon would suffer the most significant hardship from any increase. While the affluent segment of society, residing on Hong Kong Island, remained unconcerned.
The matter went before the Transport Advisory Committee on 1st December. Mrs Elliot, a member of the committee, disagreed with the increased fare albeit a lesser amount than sought by the Company. She submitted a motion of dissent by memorandum. Mrs Elliot presented a second petition with over 155,000 signatures in January 1966.
The matter then went on the back-burner until Mrs Elliot's note leaked to the press on 19th March 1966, which reignited the public debate.
4th April 1966.
Things took a different direction at about 9 am on 4th April 1966. A 25-year-old male, So Sau Chung (蘇守忠), appeared on the Central Star Ferry concourse. He wore a jacket with the English words "Hail Elsie, Block Star Ferry Increase" and "democratic". Chinese characters made the same statement, plus mentioning a hunger strike. He soon attracted the attention of commuters, with the police called to investigate.
Mr So told officers he was on hunger strike. Inspired by Mrs Elliot's campaign, he's operating alone. He remained in position on the concourse throughout the day as the police took no action. Mrs Elliot visited to speak with him later that day. Mr So left as the Star Ferry closed for the night.
5th April 1966
The next day, the Chinese press praised So's courage in standing against the fare increase. At 10:45 am he returned to the Star Ferry concourse. He continued to attract attention with the public applauding his protest.
At about 3 pm a Eurasian youth, 19-year old Brian Raggensack, joined So. At this point, a large crowd gathered to observe the pair, with estimates of 60 plus people loitering in the area. The police advised So he was causing an obstruction and needed to move. After ignoring two warnings, So is arrested. As the police lead him away, the crowd jeers the officers.
Also present is Lo Kei (盧麒), who will later organise some of the protests. He goes on a local radio channel asking the public to take to the streets.
At Central Police Station, So is charged for obstruction and offered bail. He declines. Friends arrive at the station offering to cover the bond. So is refusing and was thus placed in detention pending a court appearance.
Meanwhile, Raggensack led a group of ten-odd teenagers to Government House. He handed a note in at the gate protesting the fare increase.
But Raggensack had not finished his role in this whole episode. Next, he proceeded to the Urban Council Chamber, where a meeting was underway. Raggensack briefed Mrs Elliot on the arrest. Immediately, accompanied by Raggensack, Mrs Elliot went to Central Police Station. She spoke with So. Again, So declined bail, which Mrs Elliot offered to pay. So's mother then attended. She sought to have him stop the hunger strike. It's purported that So replied that as "the reincarnation of Jesus Christ he must save the people".
On 6th April, So appeared in Western Court to plead not guilty to the obstruction charge. He's remanded in custody until his father and a pastor persuaded him to accept $50- bail. By lunchtime So is free. He immediately went back to the Star Ferry concourse. A crowd of about 300 people gathered to hear him speak. He'd started his speech when the police approached. So fled immediately, jumping in a taxi.
He took no further part in the events. Except to say he's convicted of obstruction on 13th April, and bound over on a bond of HK$200 for two years.
So returned to work teaching English, then later became a monk in 1996. He reappeared for the 50th anniversary of the protest, giving press interviews. To some surprise, he came out against Occupy Central. He criticised the Occupy people as "grandstanding, and opposing everything".
Across the harbour, in Kowloon, the fare increase was also causing discontent. On 5th April at about 7:30 pm, a small group of males gathered on the Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry concourse to collect signatures. By about 9 pm, Raggensack appeared to began addressing a crowd. He then set off, with a group of followers, down Nathan Road chanting slogans. His group walked as far north as Bute Street in Mongkok. They returned to the Star Ferry before midnight.
The group following Raggensack had grown to some 150 persons. At about midnight, the crowd moved off to wander through Tsim Sha Tsui. They chanted slogans decrying the fare increase. More people joined the protest, as it made it way north along Nathan Road. They headed through Mongkok towards the Shek Mei Area. By now it's an estimated 400 plus persons, the vast majority being young people.
At various times the crowd stopped to hear speeches from Raggensack and others. The protesters sat in the road and blocked the traffic flows at intervals. The police monitored the group from a distance. They only took action to keep the traffic flowing.
The marchers continued westward into Cheung Sha Wan then the Lai Chi Kok area. At one point under police guidance, they formed a single file to allow traffic to move on Un Chau Street. Zig-zagging through the street, the crowd rested at the Shek Kip Mei football ground. Then they walked off again.
6th April 1966
At about 2:30 am the crowd met the commander of the Kowloon police, a senior assistant commissioner. He'd arrived to take command of the situation in the vicinity of Tai Po Road and Poplar Street in Mongkok. He addressed the leaders telling them if they wished to proceed, they must not block the roads. Some in the group became agitated, although 50 odd persons left the scene.
The remaining marchers, numbering about 300, proceeded south along Nathan Road. They're orderly having taken heed of the police warning. A platoon of the Emergency Unit Kowloon (some 41 officers) monitors the situation. Traffic diversions are in place, although given the lateness the streets are less busy.
The marchers returned to the Star Ferry concourse. The police then put in a blockade on Canton and Salisbury Road, telling the marchers to disperse in small groups.
Shortly after this, the crowd set off down the wrong side of Salisbury Road. Stopped by the police cordon, some sat in the road. At the behest of the police, a Chinese TV cameraman spoke to the crowd advising them to leave in peace. He's jeered and mocked.
At about 4 am its agreed small groups can leave the area and disperse. But the second batch departing then caught up with the first group. The whole lot then rushed back to the Star Ferry concourse. The senior assistant commissioner approaches the crowd intent on further negotiations. He's surrounded and then punched from behind.
The police swung into action, making four arrests. The assistant commissioner arrests one youth. Seeing the police action, the crowd breaks up. While a few small groups try to reform when challenged by the police, they soon disperse.
As a result of these incidents, Hong Kong Island and Kowloon police are on an emergency footing from 6 am on 6th April. Anti-riot companies form up ready to respond to any disorder.
The Commissioner of Police calls a meeting at Police HQ. It's assessed that the potential for severe disorder exists. In particular, as large numbers of young people are involved in the protests.
The terrible events of 1956 are fresh in the memories of the police commanders. Caught off guard by that disturbance, which led to 59 deaths, they are keen to stop things escalating. It's hoped that a rapid intervention on this occasion could nip the trouble in the bud early. The Police Training Contingent (PTC) company moves from Fanling to Wong Tai Sin Police Station by noon.
During the afternoon a crowd gathers at Star Ferry Tsim Sha Tsui listening to a man protesting the fare increase. He's arrested for obstruction and led away. Police then maintain a presence on the concourse.
At 7 pm that evening, the police in Kowloon and Hong Kong Island mobilise. The Auxiliary Police go on standby at 8 pm, while a company of the British Army is on one-hour readiness.
One incident causes a misunderstanding that triggers trouble. At about 7:30 pm, the police encounter a group of about 30 young people marching on Canton Road near Jordan Road. This group moved aside to allow vehicles to pass. They are cooperative and speak with the police. They soon attract a crowd of 500 plus onlookers. The four leaders of the group agree to board a police vehicle for carriage to Star Ferry. They then left for Hong Kong Island.
Some in the crowd misread the situation, believing the four are under arrest. Thinking the leaders are heading to Yaumati Police Station, they set off in that direction.
Meanwhile, sporadic reports of crowds forming across Kowloon come in. Police patrols rush back and forth to verify the situation. Before CCTV, with patchy radio coverage, gathering a picture of developments is challenging.
Then, at about 8:40 pm, the police see some 300 persons advancing towards Yaumati Police Station. This is the crowd who mistakenly believe the police have arrested four people. This agitated group blocks Public Square Street. The station goes into lockdown. The Yaumati anti-riot company (Y Coy) take up a defensive line blocking the route to the station. The disperse order goes out. This repeated warning remains unheeded before Y Coy baton charge. This move had the desired effect, as the crowd fled the area with one arrest made. By 9 pm the area is quiet.
Then at 9:35 pm spotters report some 500 people gathered at Star Ferry Tsim Sha Tsui listening to speeches. Some are chanting slogans. Y Coy arrives to investigate this group. En route, Y Coy encounters a large crowd on Nathan Road, led by a single youth heading north. He's arrested, with the crowd dispersing as traffic flows resumed. It's evident a good part of the group were casual onlookers. Y Coy then proceeded to the Star Ferry Concourse, reporting the area quiet.
Things began to escalate at 9:55 pm as a crowd of 1000 formed at the junction of Nathan Road and Austin Road. Banners supporting the Nationalist Government are on display. This crowd starts to move northwards occupying the west side of Nathan Road. The appearance of the Nationalist flags suggests a coordinated political protest. Later analysis suggests this is unlikely as no further Nationalist banners appear.
Y Coy immediately drives north of this procession, passing it on Nathan Road near the junction with Public Square Street. As the Coy goes-by, it comes under a hail of stones and bamboo poles from the crowd.
Y Coy deploy from its vehicles, forms a line and baton-charged the crowd. In the melee, several officers are hit and injured by stones. Nonetheless, the rioters dispersed. Y Coy stood down from this action, returning to Yaumati Police Station.
It's now evident that a cat and mouse game has developed. The crowd is dispersing when the police appear and reforming later. The side streets off Nathan Road offer out-flanking movement options that defeat police cordon lines. This pattern of movement repeats itself throughout the night.
At 10:25 pm Emergency Unit Car Three (EUK 3) comes under attack on Nathan Road near Public Square Street. Then reports of a large crowd on Nathan Road near Gascoigne Road come in. The chief superintendent Kowloon (CSP K) is in the area. The mob bombards his vehicle. Two inspectors and a staff sergeant accompanying him sustain injuries. It's decided to deploy three companies to the scene, with Y Coy coming from Yaumati Police Station. K HQ Coy and the PTC Coy come from further afield.
By now widespread rioting is underway on Nathan Road. Public buses are burning and police vehicles damaged. Traffic comes to a halt.
At 10:45 pm HQ Coy arrives at the junction of Nathan Road and Man Ming Lane. The CSP K joined them as warnings to disperse go out to the rioters. These warnings ignored, the Company fires a volley of tear smoke. The PTC Coy now arrives, approaching the Nathan Road/Gascoigne Road junction. It fires a salvo of tear smoke into the same crowd. As the smoke drifted down Nathan Road, it pushes back the rioters.
Sir David Akers-Jones complains in his memoirs that his dinner party in Kowloon is interrupted by tear smoke. He and his wife fled through a rear door to escape the mob. His car parked outside survived the night's violence.
The Marine Coy deploys out of Tsim Sha Tsui Police Station. Dispatched north, they take up a position at the Nathan Road/Public Square Street junction. Gradually a strategy is emerging of containing the crowds at the south end of the Kowloon peninsula. To further this aim, the Sham Shui Po Coy (SSPO Coy) sweep southwards down Nathan Road.
While this has the desired effect of containing the trouble at the tip of Kowloon, rioters continue to run amok in the back streets of Yaumati. Dodging down the alleyways, lanes and over rooftops, they out-flank the police. Fires were now burning out of control in several locations. The Fire Services respond. One fire engine is damaged as the rioters deny fireman access to the area. As a result, some fires burn on unchecked.
Then at 11 pm, in an unprecedented move, the entire Force mobilises. New Territories command and the Marine Police adopt anti-riot structures.
The whole of the police force and a good part of the British military now stands poised to deal with any disorder. Mobilisation put 2,655 uniformed officers and 347 CID on the ground.
At 11:50 pm Emergency Unit Car 8 (EU K 8) manned by a Sergeant and three constables are caught in a traffic jam on Nathan Road. Near the junction with Dundas Street, the vehicle gets boxed between several buses. The crew are unable to make progress. It's soon surrounded by a violent crowd, who smash the windscreen and side windows.
The crew exit the vehicle to take up a defensive circle. The rioters must not get access to the weapons on the car. Immediately the crowd surge in yelling "Burn them". The Sergeant draws his revolver, firing one round at the knees of a ringleader. This shot halts the crowd for a while. But armed with bamboo poles and clubs, the rioters come rushing in again.
In fear of their life, the Sergeant and two constables open fire with revolvers. The rioters retreat and make no further attempt to rush the vehicle. It's unclear if anyone gets hit.
A Marine platoon eventually reaches EU K 8 at about midnight. The Coy fought its way north by repeated use of tear gas and baton charges, driving rioters away to clear a path to the officers. The relieved officers of EU K 8 attached themselves to the Marine Coy for the rest of the night.
The HQ Coy receives instructions to proceed south on Nathan Road on foot to clear obstructions. Having gone less than 200 yards, it encounters a mob of around 500 persons, who retreated as the police advanced. On reaching the intersection with Jordan Road, the crowd halted and began a barrage of stone-throwing. Elements broke off into the side streets to attack from that direction. At around midnight the Coy replied with a salvo of tear gas into the Nathan Road/Jordan Road junction. The mob moves south, smashing up shop fronts as it moved off.
7th April 1966.
HQ Coy pressed on southwards, while rioters on rooftops keep up a sustained attack on the police. HQ Coy fires volleys of tear smoke as it presses on into Tsim Sha Tsui.
After midnight, the order goes out to use firearms if the situation merits.
HQ Coy encounters a makeshift barrier of smashed motorbikes, litter bins and debris across Nathan Road near Austin Road. A crowd of about 1000 is on the other side of the barrier stoning the police. Again warnings to disperse are ignored. HQ Coy fires tear smoke. It then advances south through the junction as the crowd moves off.
Outside Chung King Mansions, debris rains down the HQ Coy. Nonetheless, it sweeps on; pushing and dispersing the rioters into the side streets and adjacent shopping arcades.
Once again the rioters out-flank the police sweep line by running north along the side streets. They reappear behind the police line to the north on Nathan Road. HQ Coy responds. It about turns to advance north to confront the rioters, who disperse again. HQ Coy pushes as far as Austin Road. Here they make contact with KC Coy, who start a sweep northward on Nathan Road.
HQ Coy then returns to the Tsim Sha Tsui area. It takes up a position on the junction of Nathan and Salisbury Road, holding the southern tip of Kowloon. Nearby burning debris awaits a fire engine held back by a small, but determined, crowd of rioters. Officers chase off the rioters, and the fire extinguished.
By now the exhausted HQ Coy has made five arrests. They fought up and down Nathan Road for several hours in an unrelenting battle. At 1:45 am relief arrives as the Police Training School company (PTS Coy) crosses from Hong Kong Island. As it takes up position, rioters stone the officers from the rooftops of Chung King and Mirador Mansions. The PTS Coy responds with 12 rounds of tear smoke. The mood of the rioters is soon dampened as they withdraw indoors.
The PTS Coy maintains patrols in the Tsim Sha Tsui area and later enforced the curfew. HQ Coy goes on foot north towards Haiphong Road.
Given the violence, and with the police stretched, at 1 am, the Governor sanctions the use of the British Army. Further, a curfew starts at 1:30 am and last until 6 am on 7th April.
In the meantime, Y and PTC Coy start to get a handle on the crowds operating on the side streets in Yaumati. They split into platoons to work independently. Moving south from a line bounded by Gascoigne Road and Public Square Street, they chase the rioters.
At the same time, KC Coy is on Nathan Road to prevent the crowds from gathering there. Then KC Coy linked up with HQ Coy on Nathan Road near Haiphong Road. Later the KC Coy are ordered onto its vehicles and directed north to Dundas Street.
At 1:45 am, No. 1 Platoon Y Coy arrives at the junction of Nathan Road and Jordan Road. It finds a violent group of approximately one hundred rioters setting fire to vehicles. The platoon discharges tear smoke and open fire with revolvers and a single shot of 9mm from a Sterling. No casualties are seen, although the crowd scatters.
Shortly after Y Coy Commander arrives to join with two platoons. It's proposed to continue south with No. 1 Platoon on Nathan Road, while on the flanks are No. 2 and Nos. 3 Platoons. As the platoons started to move off, No. 2 Platoon is showered with debris from a flat on the 12th floor of the Lucky Building on Jordan Road. The Coy Commander directs warning small arms fire at the flat. The throwing stops. Again, it is unclear if anyone gets hit.
No. 1 Platoon had a similar incident outside Mirador Mansions as dustbins, bricks and flower pots fall. The pierced roof of the platoon vehicles tells a story. The platoon responds with small arms fire. In swift succession, the detachment then dispersed a crowd of 350 rioters outside Chung King Mansions with tear smoke.
The platoon then turned north, advancing on another crowd forming near Haiphong Road. Again, as the platoon moved it came under attack from the rooftops. Six rounds from a carbine put a stop to that. The platoon continued to clear the crowd with tear smoke. It then took up position on the junction of Nathan Road and Haiphong Road.
By now the rioters had grown tired and started to disperse from Nathan Road. Thus the platoons in Tsim Sha Tsui began to mount column patrols (8 men). The intent to keep the crowds from reforming. Meanwhile, projectiles rain down from the roof of Tsim Sha Tsui and Haiphong Mansions. Officers fire warning shots from small arms. It proved effective. The area returned to quiet as the disorder eased.
Y Coy assumed mobile patrols and withdrew at 4:45 am after a long, tense night. The Company discharged 182 rounds of tear smoke, plus 31 rounds from small arms. They made 13 arrests for various offences.
Further north in Mongkok, a separate series of events is unfolding. Small groups of rioters played chase with officers of the SSPO Coy in the vicinity of Shanghai, Portland, Dundas and Shantung Streets. Repeated baton charges kept the rioters on the move. Yet, they took full advantage of the side streets and alleyways to disperse.
At twenty minutes after midnight, the alarm sounded at the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank on the Nathan Road and Argyle Street junction. Two columns of SSPO Coy dispatched to the scene dispersed a crowd. The bank is intact but somewhat damaged. Security guards fought off attempts to force entry then extinguished fires started by the mob.
At 1:10 am the Fire Service HQ at the old Mongkok Police Station on Sai Yeung Choi Street is attacked with firebombs. These ignited the entrance area. Also, the Shaw Building opposite is on fire. A large crowd prevents firefighters fighting the blaze. Approaching police come under attack.
As people occupy the upper floors of the Shaw Building with the lower levels ablaze, a dangerous situation is developing. Tear smoke is proving ineffective, given the prevailing wind. Thus, SSPO Coy Commander orders his men to open fire to disperse the mob.
Sixteen rounds in rapid succession cause the mob to dash away. The fire is put out. Inside the Shaw Building, two looters are caught red-handed.
During the dispersal, the mob attacked the transport of SSPO Coy in Tung Choi Street. A lorry guard fires his revolver to protect the vehicles and the stores of ammunition.
At 2 am the Tong Mei Road Fire Station come under attack. Officers of SSPO Coy and the EU K Coy arrive to disperse a crowd of about 50 persons with nine arrested. Some of those detained have cans of kerosene with them. They intended to burn down the building.
Meanwhile, reports come in of an attack on the telephone exchange in Bute Street. Nos. 2 and 3 platoons of WTS Coy deal with this incident. At the same time, Nos. 1 platoon is dispersing rioters at the north end of Bute Street.
On arrival, the telephone exchange is burning with a hostile crowd of some 200 turning their attention to the police. One round fired at the ringleader, caused the rioters to flee. Nos 2 platoon gave chase, shooting tear smoke to push the rioters along. Meanwhile, Nos 3 platoon drove through the area dispersing any gatherings. The fire services then arrived to put out the fire.
At 2:45 am the situation in the area improved. The three WTS platoons mounted their vehicles to conduct a general patrol. By 5 am, the platoons stood-down back at base. The Company had made 15 arrests.
The PTC Coy engaged in Yaumati since 1100 pm on 6th April has succeeded in clearing Nathan Road between Waterloo and Jordan Road. It maintained patrols in the area, vigilant for any return of the rioters. At 2 am, the Coy moves north to enforce the curfew in the Sham Shui Po area. It stood down at 4 am. In a night of relentless action, it fired 103 tear smoke, 62 baton shells and made ten arrests.
The Marine Coy patrolled the Public Square Street area, before cordoning Pitt and Hamilton Streets. Nos 1 and 2 platoon fired tear smoke at rioters on Nathan Road. At 2:20 am Nos 3 platoon fired small arms as rioters stoned the police. This action drove them back with no casualties observed.
With many fires burning on and in the vicinity of Nathan Road, the Marine Coy moved to intervene. The Coy Commander discharged one round of carbine along Dundas Street at a crowd of four to five hundred. They fled into the adjacent streets.
Around 2 am the Marine Coy moved north on Nathan Road to link up with SSPO Coy near Argyle Street. The Coy then deployed to a false report that the China Light and Power HQ was under attack.
Later they returned to the Jordan Road area. Nos 1 Platoon engaged rioters with tear smoke making four arrests. Then the Coy deployed to Tsim Sha Tsui at 4:20 am to enforce the curfew and rest. The Marine Coy fired a total of four round 100 tear smoke rounds. It made seven arrests.
The KC Coy, in confusion, covered some of the same ground as others. It swept north up Nathan Road. At around 2 am it dispersed crowds at the junction of Dundas Street with tear smoke. It then sent platoons into the side streets to prevent out-flanking rioter. As activity in its area eased, the KC Coy reformed and withdrew at 4 am. In made 32 arrests and fired 82 rounds of tear smoke.
The SSPO Coy following the incident at Tong Mei Road Fire Station maintained patrols. Later At a crowd is dispersed while trying to attack the Post Office on Un Chau Street. The Coy Commander ordered .38 ammunition fired. The rioters then fled. SSPO Coy stood down at 8:35 am having made 13 arrests.
The Chief Superintendent Traffic Police led a small party to clear abandoned buses near the Kwong Wah Hospital. At around 2 am, he moved to Reclamation Street to deal with a coach on fire; while police extinguish the fire a gang of youths attacks. The Chief Superintendent fired his revolver, driving the attackers away.
HQ Coy relieved from Tsim Sha Tsui, now moved north to assist the Marine Coy with the false report of an attack on the China Light and Power HQ. Later at 2:15 am, the Coy encountered rioters looting at the junction of Yim Po Fong Street and Argyle Street. The looters fled with one arrested. Nos 2 Platoon guards the premises, as Nos 1 and 3 platoon take a well-earned rest. By stand-down, the HQ Coy had fired 259 rounds of tear smoke and arrested 17 persons.
Two companies arrived from Hong Kong Island to reinforce the stretched Kowloon officers. HQ HKI Coy crossed the harbour at about 3 am, and Western Coy at 4:30 am. Deployed in Yaumati and Hung Hom areas, they made nine arrests.
Gradually the violence eased as the commander Kowloon reported he had the situation under control.
Nonetheless, reinforcements continued to arrive.' A' Company, 1st Battalion The Queens Own Buffs arrived in the Waterloo Road area at about 5 am. They assisted with curfew action. The military took no further action that night.
At 6 am the curfew is lifted. Policing switched to mobile patrols and foot-patrols in strength. As the auxiliary police come on duty, they relieved the tired regulars. By 9 am HQ HKI Coy, W Coy and PTS Coy all returned to Hong Kong Island.
Life soon returns to normal. Cleaning crews from Urban Services remove the debris from the streets. Hong Kong Island remained peaceful throughout the night. Groups of youths with banners did appear but soon dispersed.
Trouble Flares Again in Kowloon
Kowloon remained calm on the 7th April until the early evening. The first sign of trouble is about 50 persons gathered near the Fire Services HQ. A youth addressed the crowd as police patrols converged on the scene.
The youth called on the people to attack the oil installations in Lai Chi Kok. The police moved in to arrest him and two others. The crowd then ran off. At about 7 pm, HQ Coy left its Kowloon base in search of the group, which is located on Reclamation Street near Shantung Street. The atmosphere is tense, but the gathering soon moves off again to disperse. HQ Coy then withdrew.
As a precaution, soldiers of 1st Battalion, The Queens Own Buffs deploy to police stations on standby.
At about 9:30 pm, a crowd of about 150 persons is at the junction of Argyle Street and Nathan Road. Three youths speak boosting of their activities the previous night. They invite others to join them. HQ Coy is dispatched to the scene. On arrival, it's greeted with a hail of stones. Tear smoke clears the crowd, who run off south. Eight youths fail to escape and are caught.
From 10 pm onwards crowds gather in Argyle Street, on Nathan Road and near Shantung Street. HQ Coy moves out again, managing to disperse the crowd with little effort. Some appeared to be idle onlookers.
By 10:30 pm the area is clear except for random hooligans throwing stones. In the meantime, Y Coy is patrolling Nathan Road south of Waterloo Road to disperse gatherings.
Then at 11 pm, CID officers report about 1000 assembled at the junction of Nathan Road and Shantung Street. The gathering is stopping vehicles, throwing stones and causing severe disruption. At the same time, further west on Shantung Street near Portland Street, a gang is assembling wooden barriers on the road.
HQ Coy encounters this crowd on Nathan Road and immediately comes under attack. Volleys of tear smoke push the rioters towards the Nathan Road/Soy Street junction. Two burning buses block Nathan Road, as the rioters maintain a bombardment of missiles. On the flanks, Y Coy sweeps eastward along Soy Street, Shantung Street and Nelson Street. It encounters no resistance. Yet, at the rear, the Coy vehicles face an assault by about 30 youths. Four rounds of small arms fire deter this group, with two arrested.
Y Coy then fell in behind HQ Coy to move north on Nathan Road. A crowd is forming near the junction with Fife Street. Meanwhile, at 11 pm the Sham Shui Po Coy deploys into Mongkok cordoning side-streets near Argyle Street and Waterloo Road. The area is quiet.
HQ Coy continued its advance northward on Nathan Road, passing the junction at Fife Street. The crowd ahead retreats, although still hostile it's not prepared to stand and fight. HQ Coy reaches the intersection of Nathan Road and Bute Street having fired tear smoke to disperse the crowd. Cars are burning in Bute Street.
At 11:30 pm the Marine Coy encounters a hostile crowd at the junction of Nathan Road and Dundas Street. About 250 hooligans set fires, then pelted the police with stones and bottles. The officers come under sustained attack as they try to clear the road of debris. Shots are fired at the advancing rioters. They disperse.
The officers then advanced to find two injured Chinese males. One has a gunshot to the lower chest. An ambulance conveys them to the hospital. The second man later died.
Around the same time, the military made their presence felt.' A' Coy 1st Battalion The Queen's Own Buffs formed a picket along Argyle Street, while 'B' Coy 1/2 Gurkha Rifles moved into Yaumati Police Station.
'A' Coy 1/2 Gurkha Rifles proceeded to the Bute Street Telephone Exchange. One vehicle is burning outside the complex. As the Gurkha's arrive, the rioters fled.
8th April 1966
From the available records, it appears that by midnight the deployments are as follows:-
- HQ Coy is at the junction of Nathan Road and Bute Street
- Y Coy is on Nathan Road between Argyle Street and Mongkok Road
- KC Coy is in Dundas Street between Reclamation Street and Nathan Road
- Marine Coy is at the junction of Dundas Street and Nathan Road
- SSPO Coy is in Yim Po Fong Street between Argyle and Waterloo Road
- WTS Coy are heading to Public Square Street
- Aux Coy are en route to the junction of Mongkok and Tong Mei Roads
- PTC Coy is standing-by at Kowloon Headquarters
HQ Coy reaches Dundas Street. Meanwhile, the Aux Coy arriving in Tong Mei Road faces rioters, who attempted to block them. Tear smoke drove the rioters back with three arrests made.
By now the WTS Coy accompanied by 'B' Coy 1/2 Gurkha Rifles is engaging a crowd of three hundred on Nathan Road near Gascoigne Road. WTS Coy uses tear smoke to advance south with the Gurkha's on the flanks. This tactic prevents the rioters from doubling back.
The mob on Nathan Roads builds to about 800. WTS Coy then conducts a baton charge. Before contact is made the rioters flee. WTS Coy then hold the junction of Nathan and Jordan Roads with the military in the side streets.
Reports of fires in Reclamation Street, Shanghai Street and the Waterloo Road come in.
At about 1:30 am a fire at Soy Street near Fa Yuen Street is burning out of control. Several parked cars are ablaze with rioters adding more debris. Officers of KC Coy arrive on the scene. They face a barrage of missiles from surrounding buildings. Volleys of tear smoke and baton shells had little effect. Small arms fire stops the bombardment.
HQ Coy returned to base at 1:30 am. During the night they'd discharged 149 tear smoke cartridges.
Small groups of rioters continued to play cat and mouse with the police in the Nathan Road and Jordon Road area. Tear smoke keeps the rioters moving.
The WTS Coy withdrew at about 2:30 am having made 19 arrests and fired 27 rounds of tear smoke.
The SSPO Coy is relieved by the PTC Coy in Yim Po Fong Street at about 2 am. The PTC Coy stood down at 3 am, having had a quiet deployment. They made no arrests and fired no weapons.
The fire in Shanghai Street mentioned earlier is attended by the Marine Coy. A crowd of some two hundred confront the police as they pull the fire apart to extinguish it. A baton charge pushed an estimated fifty people into Kam Tong Mansion on Waterloo Road. Officers then entered the building making 20 arrests.
The fire services working under police escorts face attacks throughout the night. At 1:30 am, a fire engine returning to Mong Kok Fire Station is attacked. The escorting police fired three baton shells to force back rioters.
At 2:30 am Aux Coy returned to its base at Wong Tai Sin Police Station. During the deployment, it made three arrests.
From 2:30 am onwards, rioting died down. Tired police withdrew as clean up crews from the Urban Services moved in. The curfew stops at 6 am.
At 3 pm on 8th April, the Governor signed a curfew order for Kowloon imposing a curfew between 7 pm, 8th April and 6 am, 9th April.
The police and military agree that army units will cordon the area of disturbance from the previous night. Police will patrol inside this zone mounting stop and search as necessary. Eight police companies will circulate to suppress any trouble. The zone covers from Tong Mei Road, Prince Edward Road and Sai Yee Street in the north to Public Square Street in the south.
At 7:30 pm, a platoon of the WTS Coy is patrolling on foot in the vicinity of Canton Road and Dundas Street when bottles and stones are thrown from an adjacent building. A cordon and sweep results in 11 arrests on the rooftop. A platoon en route to assist encounters a hostile crowd near Soy Street. Four rounds of tear smoke disperse the rioters.
The plan worked. The same applies overnight on 9th and 10th April. There are no further incidents except breaches of the curfew.
Some Observations
The disturbances of 1966 took place on the Kowloon peninsula. It's significant that the resettlement estates in north Kowloon were not involved. There is no evidence of central control nor triad involvement. The one instance of National banners is an aberration, whereas observers report that a good number of rioters appeared to be having fun.
The police judged they'd handled the situation well. The training for anti-riot duties is proving its worth. At the later public enquiry it's revealed that throughout the disturbance, the police fired 1,198 tear smoke rounds; 90 wooden baton shells; 41 rounds of .300 carbine; 43 rounds of .38 revolver and ten rounds of 9mm.
Small arms fire proved effective in discouraging attacks on the police from rooftops. But, it's evident from the lack of injuries that officers discharged their weapons as a warning rather than at specific targets.
In total, 905 face arrest and charges; another 560 are detained without charge. The majority of those held are male aged between 16 and 20. The damage to property includes 57 buses including several wholly burnt out.
Ten police officers and 16 civilians sustained injuries. The number of casualties is probably much higher, with many failing to report. One civilian is dead from a gunshot wound.
These events proved a foretaste of things to come in 1967. Indeed, this dress rehearsal affirmed the merits of the anti-riot forces.
The inquiry into the riots praised the police and the military for their restraint. Although, Mrs Elliott came in for some criticism. She claimed that the uprising was a 'black flag' operation, orchestrated by corrupt police officers to discredit her.
While right that corruption existed in the police, in this regard, she's way off target. Also, she alleged that Brian Raggensack is a police agent. Her allegations caused ridicule from some quarters. The public took a different view. She gets reelected as an Urban Councillor with 80% of the vote.
Later, Lo Kei is convicted of inciting the crowd to interfere with justice. His evidence at the inquiry gets dismissed as 'studded with fantasy.'
Several commentators have castigated the inquiry for its short-sightedness in not recognising broader social issues. The government sought to portray the events of 1966 as apolitical. Yet, it's undeniable that simmering tensions over corruption, housing and economic conditions contributed to a sense of agitation.
Here I'm not seeking to make judgments or to contribute to any debate about the virtues and failings of colonial rule in Hong Kong. The broader question of the causes of the riot I'll leave to others to debate.
Nonetheless, the colonial authorities recognised failings and made changes. These included the introduction of the district officers to better understand and communicate with the population.