Shanghai is regretting the impending departure of the 2nd. Battalion The Loyal Regiment (N. Lancashire) which is to take place this week. It was this battalion which took so important a part in the production of the brilliant tattoo held in connection with the Coronation Celebrations last year, and proved themselves to be efficient in that side of army life, as later they were to show themselves in their sterner duties. Ever since 1927 when troops were sent to Shanghai for the protection. of British interests, some notable bodies of men have been stationed in this port, and The Loyals are by no means the least distinguished among them. The officers and men have upheld the highest British Army traditions and have performed their arduous duties, and they were indeed arduous, in a manner which has earned for them the unstinted admiration not only of the British community but of other foreign communities as well. Col. J. E. Hume and his officers soon made themselves popular amongst Shanghai residents because of their great interest in sport and the enthusiastic manner in which they entered into the life of the place. But what is of more importance is that in the opening days of the hostilities around Shanghai, and anxious days they were at that, the Loyal Regiment was the only British unit stationed here. It was true it was speedily reinforced, but the fact remains that for a short while the full duty of the defence of British interests here devolved on that comparatively small, but efficient body of men. That they did their work excellently is common knowledge. They would probably reply, if they could, that that after all was merely their duty, and no more than what any other British soldiers would have done but the fact is one which should be placed on record together with the very heartfelt thanks of the British community for the excellent services they performed. Of this Col. Hume, his officers and men may rest assured—if they have as high regard for Shanghai as Shanghai has for them, then a new, and genuine mutual admiration society has been formed.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.