Following a number of re-connections with former Hong Kong rugby internationals who were posted here with the Welch Regiment, the latest to claim his Colony Cap is Mike Chinnock. Mike was stationed at Stanley Fort Hong Kong 1966/68 and represented the 1st Welch regiment on the right wing. He was selected to represent Hong Kong at the Bangkok Asian Games with a number of his team mates, including famous rugby fathers Bill Carling (sons Will and Marcus) and Dai Llewellyn (sons Gareth and Glyn).  Mike went on to represent the British Army and played for Neath and Penarth before turning his hand to rugby league.

Mike has kindly shared some of his memories from those days below, and if you’ve missed the stories of the previous Welch cappings, you can find them all here;

https://www.hkrugby.com/news/a-christmas-capping

https://www.hkrugby.com/news/a-cap-for-the-colonel

https://www.hkrugby.com/news/a-family-of-rugby-legends

Receiving my cap was a proud moment for me and my family.

The paper clipping was from a Welsh newspaper showing myself and three colleagues I’m second in from the right.  A young nineteen year old! All checking passports to travel to Bangkok. Left to right is Roger Caveil, Stephen Saxby, myself , then  Marvin Elsbury.

This shows the Welch Reg. Severns squad, who went on to win the Blarney Stone Severns. 1968. Beating a strong N.Zealand university side in the finals. I’m back row, second in on right.

Welch Reg. team in H.K.
This was a very successful team as shown by all the trophies. Captained by Bill Carling.

I have been back to H.K. twice since serving in the colony in 1996  & 2008.
A place that will always be special to me.