Hi all, I was wondering if there is a published history about the 4th Queen's Own Hussars, and does anyone have a copy? I have been forwarded a blurry photo of their Archers(!) from 1950. Written on the back is "C Sqdn 4 Hussars, Valentine SPs at Lowu[??? I can't make this out] prior to departing to Malaya" Naturally I am very curious about whether they actually took Archers to Malaya - probably not I would imagine - and where they were prior to that. Wikipedia suggests Lübeck.
Lowu Camp (Lo-Wu) is in the New Territories in Hong Kong where they were under 40 Inf Div. May have more at home. Edit: for 1951 I have: 4 HUSSARS were under command 3 COMMANDO BRIGADE in IPOH (less 2 squadrons). 1 Squadron was detached to 48 GURKHA INFANTRY BRIGADE in Kuala Lipis 1 Squadron was detached to LAND FORCES Hong Kong (in late 1949, this was C-Squadron).
Yes and yes. And it covers the period up to 1958. I will try to dodge the better half and find it this evening...
Wow, thanks Charley, that's brilliant: so there were a few Archers with C Squadron in Hong Kong! idler anything you can dig it up would be fantastic.
As the Comets in Hong Kong tended to be passed on from unit to unit, I wonder if the same happened to the Archers?
OK: their last location in Germany was Lubeck until Nov 1947. They then spent 9 months in Colchester before going to Malaya via Aden and Colombo. All it has to say about HK is: "For most of the three years one squadron was away in Hong Kong." I suspect their regimental journal will be the only way forward.
For more information on Hong Kong, it might be worth asking on this website: Gwulo: Old Hong Kong Gwulo: Old Hong Kong There seem to be a number of ex-servicemen posting on it.
Hmmm that would go with my question of "does the Sikorski Institute have the war diary of 7 Polish Anti-Tank Regiment?". :-/ Not getting to the IWM anytime soon!
The 7 Polish Anti-Tank Regiment's war diary is very likely to be in Polish, as I believe that was the default. I'll put the 4th Hussars Journal on the list for the next time I visit the IWM, although of course that is not likely to be soon.
Yes, absolutely - I would have to find a translator as well. Thank you! I'll see what I can do in the meantime.
The unit's CO's OBE citation says that they were acting as an armoured car regiment until at least June 1950.