Warriors of Wanchai

[Gwyn Nicholas]

I have heard many tales of the "wanchai warriors" but who and what were they. Were you a "warrior" .. lets have it from the horses mouth!

[tom33]

one very famus one will 38.

[tom33]

happy days..we had good times there..some of the best ever..true mates like hoppy 41. jim brown roger 20 potter evens49. 49 tried to sell lots of the boys when they fell asleep on the table.so many names i could mention but i would run out of space

[Bob Bacon]

A typical battle cry of marauding Mongolians in the 13th century was, "Wine, Women and Wan chai!" Traditionally, Wan Chai Warriors were those that faced many a battle on the mean streets of Wan Chai. An organised foray into the warm night air where the jumble of neon signs in Cantonese and English cast an orange-yellow light over the evening streets.

As a boys' night out it was a routine nocturnal journey round a small part of the city. It had its own order of activities and it involved a set of routines. The first port of call was normally the infamous China Fleet Club, shown below

[Bob Bacon]

I wasn't really a Wan Chai Warrior in the strictest sense, but what I would like to say is that Hong Kong was my favourite posting, having served there with 1 RWF, 1 R HAMPS and the Queen’s Ghurkha Signal Regiment.

We were in Honiton when we first heard the news that the Battalion was being posted to Hong Kong. I was serving in ‘B’ Company and we were allocated Erskine Camp in the New Territories as our base camp for the first part of the tour. The other occupants of the camp were Sp Company. For the second part of the tour we were moved to Gun Club Barracks.

I have so many memories of all my tours there. For instance, in Erskine Camp there were so many occurrences of people arriving back at the camp after a night out in Kowloon who couldn't afford to pay the taxi fare that a taxi fund was produced by the hierarchy. This was held in the Guardroom and managed by the Guard Commander. The idea behind this was that those that returned back to camp penniless would be able to sign for the cash and pay the taxi driver his due remuneration.

Unfortunately, this backfired somewhat as people were actually signing for the cab fare before they left and used it to get into Kowloon!

[keithwill38]

Each "Wanchai Warrior" had the names of the others tattooed on various parts of their bodies,1 of us who shall remain nameless had it tattooed on his butt cheek,a good time was had each Friday whenever possible,starting off in the China Fleet Club,for cheap beer and Singapore Slings then wandering outside to make our way to the High Class bars of Wanchai,and many a time we did so in the form of Rickshaw races,which i might add the rickshaw pullers were full of enthusiasm for, the list which i think is correct is as follows
Ianto 10,Percy,Dobbs,12,05,31,36,38 that is what i can make out from my tattoo as unfortunately like my memory it has faded with age,i shall leave others to fill the names in which numbers are who,but what a place to spend ones early 20,s in

[mogs22]

Oh what fond memories. The animals bar in the Fleet Club, anyone remember the girl that walked in there and was ushered out at a rapid pace. i believe that there were two or three Zulu warriors going on there at that time.49 the famous waiter who, when you flaked out always made sure your money was safe. Not enough space to write everything but like you Will my tattoos are fading.

[Thom15]

Very fond memories, whoever passed out first was taken for a tatoo and woke up in the morning with a very sore head and a chunk of toilet roll stuck to the tat to soak up the blood. Don't believe Bob, he was the king of the Wanchai Warriors.

[ap1]

Don't believe Bob, he was the king of the Wanchai Warriors.

Funny you should say that Thom. Derick May introduced Bob to myself and a few other sprogs in 1 Platoon lines on Dai's Day 1980. We sat in a room having a few beers, whilst Derick regaled us with Bob's Wanchai activities, which allegedly involved the selling of sleeping soldiers!!!!!!

Great Thread.

[keithwill38]

He was a bugger for that Al

[Bob Bacon]

:errrr:Well, I might have sold one or two, but it was to one of Hong Kong's top fashion designers!

Don't fall asleep in the Wally Matt or into the taxi you will go!

[Rog Ball 01]

I diod not go to HK, but this thread is a good one. Things coming out that are quite amusing. Well done Gwyn for bring out the subject on here.

How did Price-

[BennytheBall]

Bob and all Wanchi Warriors what was the favourite sport down the Whanch "Rolling a Yank"

[Keith Jones 989]

Each "Wanchai Warrior" had the names of the others tattooed on various parts of their bodies,1 of us who shall remain nameless had it tattooed on his butt cheek,a good time was had each Friday whenever possible,starting off in the China Fleet Club,for cheap beer and Singapore Slings then wandering outside to make our way to the High Class bars of Wanchai,and many a time we did so in the form of Rickshaw races,which i might add the rickshaw pullers were full of enthusiasm for, the list which i think is correct is as follows
Ianto 10,Percy,Dobbs,12,05,31,36,38 that is what i can make out from my tattoo as unfortunately like my memory it has faded with age,i shall leave others to fill the names in which numbers are who,but what a place to spend ones early 20,s in

I think that the only way we can be sure about this claim is for you to put up a photograph of the offending tattoo!

[Keith Jones 989]

A typical battle cry of marauding Mongolians in the 13th century was, "Wine, Women and Wan chai!" Traditionally, Wan Chai Warriors were those that faced many a battle on the mean streets of Wan Chai. An organised foray into the warm night air where the jumble of neon signs in Cantonese and English cast an orange-yellow light over the evening streets.

As a boys' night out it was a routine nocturnal journey round a small part of the city. It had its own order of activities and it involved a set of routines. The first port of call was normally the infamous China Fleet Club, shown below

That's a great shot of the China Fleet Club. I had forgotten what it looked like.

I got married in Hong Kong (girlfriend flown out from Wales by RAF on 'Intended Bride Scheme' and went to the China Fleet Club, after the ceremony in Kowloon Registry Office, to celebrate.

Anybody else remember taking LSD in Lucy's bar? 'LSD' - Lucy's Special Drink - served by a topless barmaid (in those days they were 'maids and NOT 'persons).

[keithwill38]

I f you are refering to the tattoo on the bum,alas Pinky never saw mine so i could not possibly show you,the person who shall be nameless does frequent this forum once in a blue moon so maybe he will get somebody to photograph it,it should be viewable after all this time as it has not been in the sun,and Bob i am sure everytime guys heard "Taxi for Bacon" whilst in the Walzting Mat,pinched themselves to make sure they were not sleeping

[Mike Salway]

Paul, must have been hiding somewhere in the Wanch to take photo's, he was everywhere else!!!

[Rob12]

Bringing back too many memories. Spent most of mine reminising in either Stonecutters or Tom Sals Hotel in Gun Club. Happy times.

[tom33]

you still owe me 20 hk dollers i lent you in a massage parlour

[Thom15]

Bob, can you remember the name of the gay chinese actor that was always in the Wally Matt looking for sleeping soldiers? I think you sold a few guys to him LOL

[Bob Bacon]

I'm not sure, I think it might have been Rudolph! He liked a game of darts! The fashion designer's name was Lindo

[Gwyn Nicholas]

I remember vaguely hearing of a certain "Miss" Chantelle is some various tales, would this be in the same area of recreation or does "she " belong to the excursions to Singapore which I know have their own tales to tell.

[Bob Bacon]

I think that one Gwyn is from the tales of Singapore and the infamous Bugis Street

[mogs22]

Right on the nail with that one Bob his name was Rudolph, but what was the name of the radio DJ who used to swig in the Mat as well.

[tom33]

yes she was in the sky bar in johor baru..addio now known as keith wyn rees could tell you some stories about her..and the following chase by taxi drivers.and if he does'nt admit to it ask hoppy or 49

[Thom15]

That's right, Rudolph it was. Good at darts eh! I bet he often got the bull. lol

The rugby team visited Bugis Street (pronounced Boogie) when we played the Far East Championship in Singapore. A huge tourist attraction, there were tables down the middle of the street where we'd sit to eat and drink, then the Kai Tais (transvestites) would come to chat to everyone. I'm sure Will 38, Allan (Porky) Philips and Bob Lloyd remember this fun time. Otto (Evans 02) thought he was the greatest because he managed to chat up several of the "girls" and then he was told by the New Zealand Regt team that they were really "guys". You should have seen his face as the rest of us were curled up laughing.

Dil

[hoppy41]

I had photo's of the kai tais.when i was on leave i tock them to my local club.but no one would bleave that thay were blokes.if i hadent been in singapore myself i would have found it had to bleave. i thing the queen of kai tais's was EX RAF

[hoppy41]

if i remember correctly there was a lad in d/coy ho wanted to become a kai tai

[hoppy41]

if i remember correctly there was a lad in d/coy ho wanted to become a kai tai

[hoppy41]

we were the in taxi.we were being chased by motorbikes 100's of them were thay came from i dont know.thay run us of the road.all because fred matter.fred put his hand up the kai tai's dress and fond a handfull.so he flattened the kai tai.then all hell broke loose.that night is the first time i ever prayed. thay came after us with cut-throat razors

[steve bird]

hoppy i think the bloke from the delta's went absent
to live with them for a short while, then went to live
as a guest at the tom sal's hotel for a bit as well ???.

[hoppy41]

hongkong was a single man's paradise

[tom33]

hoppy was known as the barcadi king..would even wake up with a bottle in his bed..

[Ianto 10]

Hi Gwyn, not been on the forum for a while, but today I picked up on your thread the Wanchai Warriors which I was a member and your thread brought back fond memories, thanks Gwyn, anyway the Warriors were as mentioned on previous threads, I was recruited, if I can put it that way by Percy Broad who became my best mate and Tom 12 another good mate, anyway one of main attributes of being a Wanch was you had to have some prized possessions and you were willing to pawn it when the gang was broke, which was always the case mid month, mine were an AKAI Stereo Deck and an Omega watch which Tom and Percy had their eye on and which ended up in the pawn shop constantly. one month my tropical fish tank and fish ended up in the pawn shop.
Good times! When I got home I sent my watch for a service to an Omega approved dealer only to find out the the outer case to the watch was Omega but the working were 'Micky Mouse' the Pawn brokers had changed the working! we used to buy back our stuff each time by cashing our deposit to our Post Office saving book. Good times Gwyn, thanks for the memories.

[Gwyn Nicholas]

Percy Broad and Tom 12. Now there are two names that conjure up some visions..........not all pleasant. Would love to hear some tales about those two or better still from them. Off-piste, I remember one afternoon/night session in the Cpls Mess in Tidworth sharing copious amounts of cider with Tom. Legless, we somehow got separated on the way back to the block (200/250 yards) and I made it back alone. In the morning I checked Toms bunk to find him lying in bed, his head and face covered in what appeared to be chalk. When he spoke he was was incoherant due to the mouth ulcers he had developed over night, like talking with a mouthfull of fish roe. What I finally learned was ,that he had woken up early dawn ("effin freezing)" with his head on the centre spot of the football pitch and............it was my fault! Great character and a true Gentle-man. So who can dish the dirt on the "Goat Major" and 12.

[ap1]

Tom 12, what a guy. A great SNCO/WO as well. He just completely slipped off the radar after he finished his 22. Wonder what happened to him.

[Gwyn Nicholas]

Tom is married and lives in Maesteg, last I heard he was running a Taxi. Numerous attempts have been made to get him back into the fold but alas he doesn't seem to want to come back........our loss.

[Ianto 10]

Gwyn, Percy Broad is now QM at Hollywood Barracks NI, From L/Cpl Goat Major to Major Royal Irish and still serving as Retd Major is some going. good old Percy. I spoke to him last week and he's ok.