The subject of this lecture is former Marine commander Les Bird’s photographic account of the tens of thousands of Vietnamese who arrived by boat at Hong Kong’s southern sea boundary between 1979 and 1989 and how the Marine Police were tasked with bringing them in safely. This included providing emergency help for cholera cases, assessing often dehydrated children and processing everyone, who came into the city.

For the purposes of this talk, Les will focus on two specific years: 1979, when more than 68,700 people arrived at Hong Kong’s sea border; and 1989, a time when all 13 Vietnamese boat people camps in Hong Kong were declared full, and Les and his colleagues were directed to put all new arrivals on the remote island of Tai Ah Chau, which, at the outset, was devoid of facilities. Within a week they had more than 3,000 people to look after.

The Speaker

Originating from Staffordshire in the UK, Les Bird joined the Hong Kong Marine Police in 1976. For more than 10 years he patrolled the waters to the south of Hong Kong, intercepting vessels that had crossed the South China Sea, the Vietnamese boatpeople on board hoping to start a new life. Throughout his maritime career Les carried a camera in his kitbag and, when circumstances permitted, he photographed the vessels and the people caught up in this exodus in the aftermath of the Vietnam War.

Les was with the Marine Police until 1997. As well as his work involving the influx of Vietnamese, he also headed Marine’s fast pursuit unit, intercepting smugglers in speedboats or daai feis, in the early 1990s attempting to take stolen cars and electronic goods, among other items, across to the mainland. His recently published memoir covers those 21 years in the lead-up to the handover. ‘A Small Band Of Men: An Englishman’s Adventures in Hong Kong’s Marine Police’ will be available for sale at the talk. Les is also a founding member and chairman of Asia's Rhinos Rugby Football Club. He is married with two daughters.

This event has been postponed.

Time: Reception desk opens at 6:30pm; talk starts at 7:00pm.

Admission: RAS Members $100; Non-Members / Guests $150

Please email membership@royalasiaticsociety.org.hk in advance to reserve your place and pay at the door.