Former Chief Inspector Kenneth Andrew

Kenneth Andrew passed away March 13 in Bournemouth leaving behind a full and colourful life, serving the British Royal Air Force (previously the Royal Flying Corps) in both World Wars and writing a host of books and novels based on his time in Hong Kong and as a pilot, the last published in his 99th year.

Due to turn a grand-old 107 in October, Ken was born in 1893 and joined the Force in 1913 as a Police Constable, retiring as Chief Inspector in 1938. He was awarded the King's Police Medal in 1928 and Colonial Police Medal in 1936.

Tributes poured in for Hong Kong's most 'senior' officer as he was laid to rest at a funeral in Bournemouth on March 22, with members of the Royal Hong Kong Police Association among the mourners. The tributes included a letter of condolence to Ken's family from Commissioner of Police Eddie Hui Ki-on.

An Honourable Life Member and doyen of the Association, Ken moved into a nursing home last year after some time in a rest home. The Association recently presented him with a pewter figure of a policeman.

Association Honorary Secretary Sylvia Mansell, who often visited Ken with other members, said despite failing eyesight and hearing, he remained quite a character in his last few years.

"He always had lots of stories to tell about his service in the Police of which he was very proud and he always wore his police tie with pride," Ms Mansell said.

Despite his ailing health, he could still delve into the Hong Kong of the 1920s and 30s with graphic descriptions of life at the time.

He could also tell his police tales in fluent Cantonese, outlining his exploits as being one of only 153 British policemen in Hong Kong, having answered advertisements in British newspapers and signing up soon after he stepped off the ship in 1911. He survived many near-death incidents including shootouts and attacks with knives and broken bottles, and was in and out of hospital 34 times in his 27 years in Hong Kong with everything from dysentery to malaria.

He received his KPM after valiantly facing armed pirates at point-blank range. Their weapons misfired and he shot them dead.

He was also able to survive even more frightening situations such as a couple of crashes while in the the Royal Flying Corps.

However he said he made a good life in the former colony and had nothing but fond memories.

After retirement he often used his Cantonese skills to work as an interpreter in courts. He also used his knowledge of Hong Kong and Chinese culture to give lectures to local clubs and societies.

A proud Hong Kong Police officer to the end, Ken attributed his longevity to "all-mighty God".



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