Hok Un Power Station, a compilation of those who helped restore it at the end of World War Two

IDJ: When Hong Kong was liberated after the surrender of the Japanese, one of the first groups to arrive was “Shield Force.”  This mainly comprised 3,000 Royal Air Force personnel who had been diverted from their expected task of building Pacific island aerodromes to assist the Allied advance towards Japan.

Not all RAF personnel in the war were involved in flying aircraft, there was a very large engineering backup, including the little known Airfield Construction Service. After the British military had gained control of Hong Kong there was a great need to restore services and utilities such as electricity. A group from the RAF contingent were assigned to China Light & Power’s Hok Un Power Station and successfully managed to restore basic electricity supplies.

HF: I thought it would be of interest to post an article about those who took part in the restoration of Hok Un post WW2. We have two persons so far but I would be delighted to include any more.

Malloy, Aster Vincent: Leanne Malloy has sent the following information and images related to her grandfather Aster Malloy.

History:He served in the RAF from 1939 to 1945. His ranks were

777924Aster Vincent MOLLOY (170763)

Cpls. effective date 10/02/1944

(Taken from SECOND SUPPLEMENT
TO The London Gazette
Of FRIDAY, the 28th of APRIL, 1944
published by Authority
Registered as a newspaper
TUESDAY, 2 MAY, 1944
Air Ministry,
ROYAL AIR FORCE. .
GENERAL- DUTIES BRANCH.
Appointment to commission)

Identity card number for the RAF #1087542

His Airforce number was changed from 170763 to S.R. 160169

F/O  effective date: 06/10/1944

F/LT effective date: 23/11/1944

S/LDR effective date: 16/04/1945

He was a spitfire pilot and captained a rescue vessel.

After accepting the surrender of Hong Kong he was appointed to restore power to Hong Kong and Kowloon.

Please see the attached original newspaper article. I have it in my possession as well as a lot of the original documents, photographs and newspaper articles.

On the 08 July 1948 he received the following:

39/45 Star

Atlantic Star

Pacific Star

Defense Medal

War Medal

He was based in Bristol and then in Kowloon – H.Q. 5025 SQD. Seaview Flats

My Grandfather married

My Grandmother:

Maria Aleta Pretorius

Born: 31 January 1914

Place of Birth: Bulawayo Southern Rhodesia

They were married on 28 March 1936 in Que Que, Southern Rhodesia.

Leanne believes the circled figure is her grandfather

Aster Malloy’s signature

Wood, Andrew: Graham Wood has compiled this brief biography of his father Andrew Wood, who was involved in repairing Hok Un Power Station in Hong Kong at the end of the Japanese occupation during World War Two. Images and information about this can be seen in our article, Hok Un Power Station, post World War Two images, linked below.

Andrew Wood 1919 – 2000

Graham Wood has compiled this brief biography of his father Andrew Wood: Raised in Aberdeen. Left school at 14. Worked for a while as a messenger boy for a jeweller in Aberdeen. Then apprenticed to John M. Henderson & Co. Ltd of Aberdeen a heavy engineering company making furnaces, steam derricks and quarry machinery, primarily cableways and Blondins. Studied engineering night school at Robert Gordons Aberdeen.

Called up into the RAF late 1940 or early 1941. After an initial stint servicing training aircraft, transferred to airfield maintenance with a particular focus on power supply provision for airfields and barracks facilities. Served in east of England and then for a while in the Faroe Islands.

Andrew Wood in Hong Kong. Courtesy: Graham Wood

For further information about Andrew Wood please see our article:
Andrew Wood biography – involvement in the repair of Hok Un power station at the end of the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong

Photograph taken 16th Jan 1946 This is Hok Un power station taken from the hill behind. The block at the bottom in the centre was Andrew Wood’s billet. Courtesy: Graham Wood

This article was first posted on 1st December 2021.

Related Indhhk articles:

1. CLP: The construction of Hok Un power station 1921, Part One
2. CLP: The construction of Hok Un power station 1921, Part Two
3. CLP: The construction of Hok Un power station 1921, Part Three
4. CLP – Hok Un (Yuen) Power Station 1921-1991 – updated
5. John M. Henderson, Engineering Company, Aberdeen, Scotland…link to Hok Un power station, Hong Kong
6. Andrew Wood biography – involvement in the repair of Hok Un power station at the end of the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong
7. Hok Un Power Station, post World War Two images
8. CLP’s Hok Un Power Station – immediately post World War Two
9. Preece, Cardew and Rider – Consulting Engineers for Hok Un power station
10. CLP’s Hok Un Power Station during the Japanese occupation
11. CLP- Lawrence Kadoorie speech 1977 – HK + Hok Un Power Station during WW2
12. Robert Gordon Shewan – CLP, Green Island Cement and HK Rope Manufacturing