R. Stewart Cromie Young, one of Shanghai's most popular and most senior police officials, retires tomorrow from the post of Deputy Commissioner of the S.M.P., after 34 years' service in the course of which he rose through the various ranks and distinguished himself repeatedly in dealing with crime and political unrest. Although he is relinqui: ishing his charge of the S.M.P. Crime Branch, he will nevertheless remain in Shanghai until next spring and serve the Council as a special liaison officer with the Chinese coramunity.
Mr. Young joined the Police as a constable on November 8, 1904, coming out from Ireland at a time when ihe Russo-Japanese War was in full swing. He saw damaged Russian warships in Chinese waters as he arrived. In those days the force was very small, with but few foreigners, end the built-up arba only a tiny fraction of what it is today. Mr. Young recalls shooting pheasant where the Bubbling Well Police Station now stands and, north of the Soochow Creek, iw the vicinity of the site of the Ward Koba Jail.
In those early days crime in Shanghai had a different complexion from ihe one it wears today. Mr. Young soon was posted to Hongkew Station, where at the time the most difficult task facing the police was dealing with foreign sailors. Being a policeman north of the Creek meant being constantly called upon to subdue the toughest bluejackets of various nations in an effort to save the limbs and property of the residents. Mr. Young recalls a tussle he had in Hongkew with an American negro sailor of gigantic proportions which resulted in the policeman and the sailor going together through the wall of one house into the adjoining building to the complete dismay of the unsuspecting residents. Broken noses and uniforms torn to shreds were almost daily "events" on the waterfront and whereas medical attention was provided free of charge it was pretty hard on young constables and sergeants- to "have" (o pay for new uniforms again and again.
Trained Police and Specials Mr. Young was promoted probationary sergeant in the spring of 1907 and three months later, sergeant. He became a sub-inspector in 1913 and inspector in 1917. He early held responsible posts as officer in charge of stations. From 1914 till 192] he was prevented what might have been a very serious riot on the evening of January 22, 1927. Decorations bestowed on Mr. Young are the Police Long Service Medal with two bars (medal originally conferred in December, 1824); the Chinese Government Police Medal (Class I, Grade ILI) in March, 1937, for services ridered in the arrest of important criminals; and the S.M.C. 1937 Emergency Medal.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.