War Dead Remembered Amid Covid Outbreak

The annual Remembrance Sunday ceremony to commemorate the war dead went ahead outside the Cenotaph in Central, but with slight modifications due to Covid-19 restrictions.

A bugler played The Last Post, as 150 people - including ex-servicemen, members of the public and religious faiths - gathered for a pared back memorial service, with only a handful of people allowed to place wreaths at the Cenotaph.

This included a small team of ex-servicemen, laying wreaths on behalf of all donors, and Reverend John Chynchen representing all faiths.

After a bugle sounded "The Last Post", two minutes of silence was held.

Every year, the memorial service is organised by the Hong Kong and China branch of the Royal British Legion, and the Hong Kong Ex-Servicemen's Association.

It is usually attended by various government officials, as well as representatives of various religions, although no government or consular officials attended on Sunday. The Chief Executive, Carrie Lam, and the Home Affairs Bureau sent wreaths.

Nigel Collett, the vice-chairman of the Hong Kong branch of the Royal British Legion, explained why this year, the ceremony was especially poignant.

"Every year, we commemorate those who fell in the defence of Hong Kong, all of those, of every nationality, Chinese mostly, but also British, Indian, Gurkha and every race in the world.

And this year is particularly important because it was the last year when there was somebody still alive from the Second World War. Alas now, we have no more who have survived from that time, but we will remember them, because we are here where we are because of what they did."

76-year-old Gurung Tara, a former Gurkha captain in Hong Kong, says he comes every year.

Two bagpipers stood in for the regular Police Force Pipe Band.

The wreaths will remain in place, as usual, for three days.