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Hong Kong Colony

George Goodfellow: Royal Military Police: Hong Kong


Born as George Adamson in 1930 in Sculcoates, Yorkshire, Britain, his family moved to Wexford in Ireland when he was just two. Later, his father served in the Irish Maritime arm (Maritime Inscription Service) of the Irish Volunteer Force. After the war had ended, young George Goodfellow joined the Royal Military Police and spent the late 1940s and early 1950s working with them in the colony of Hong Kong. These photographs show his time with the RMP there, and they are not presented in any particular order. After working in Hong Kong, he moved to Northern Rhodesia, where he joined the Northern Rhodesian Police. You can see photographs of him serving in Africa here.


Two RMP corporals walking past Burberry storefront in Hong Kong, mid-century urban scene Military policeman beside jeep in training gear, helmet marked MP, trees and barracks behind Formal group portrait of British Independent Provost Company, Royal Military Police, Hong Kong Christmas gathering of RMP personnel, drinks and cigars, dated 7 December 1947
Street patrol — two corporals pass Burberry possibly still in England before embarkation to Hong Kong Battle bowler — training day snapshot with jeep and helmet, a young MP ready for colonial duty Provost Company — formal portrait of the British Independent Provost Company, Royal Military Police Christmas — camaraderie and cigars in a festive barracks room, dated 7 December
Five RMP men standing in line outdoors, hillside backdrop, formal dress with chevrons RMP soldiers in ceremonial inspection formation, white belts and peaked caps, arched windows behind Permanent pass issued to L/Cpl G. Godfellow, dated 9 July 1949, Royal Military Police HQ Military funeral with Union Jack-draped coffin, clergyman officiating, Happy Valley Cemetery, 1952
Hilltop formation — five RMP men stand in line, chevrons gleaming against the hillside backdrop Barracks inspection — ceremonial line-up in front of arched windows, discipline and symmetry on display Leave pass — L/Cpl Godfellow’s 1949 permanent pass from the Royal Military Police HQ Provost Company Farewell to Nobby Clark — funeral at Happy Valley, Hong Kong, 1952, after motorbike accident in Kowloon
RMP procession with floral wreaths and cross, double-decker bus and onlookers in background Group portrait of BRIT IND PRO COY, Hong Kong 1951, stamped Jimmy Foo Photo Service Five men toasting around punch bowl, festive gathering in Singapore, 29 December 1951 Indoor group portrait with Christmas tree and garlands, RMP personnel in dress uniform
Wreath procession — solemn march through Hong Kong streets, floral tributes and military honour BRIT IND PRO COY 1951 — formal company portrait stamped by Jimmy Foo, Hong Kong Napalm punch — festive toast in Singapore, 1951, with RSM Bowtell, Capt Miles, and Sgt Mair Christmas camaraderie — garlands and tree frame a formal indoor portrait of RMP personnel
Two RMP personnel in summer uniform, shorts and MP armbands, standing outside concrete structure Studio portrait of RMP soldier in full dress uniform, checkered floor and flower vase in background Large group of uniformed personnel posed outdoors, building and foliage in background Large group of uniformed personnel posed outdoors, trees and multi-storey building in background
Summer patrol — two MPs in shorts and armbands outside a Hong Kong compound Studio portrait — formal dress uniform captured in a staged interior setting Company gathering — large outdoor group portrait with barracks and foliage behind Final muster — full company portrait with officers and civilians, Hong Kong backdrop of trees and barracks

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