Last night we had our first fundraising event, a dinner held in the heart of London’s Chinatown at the Imperial China Restaurant. With one hundred guests, great food and ample wine courtesy of See Woo supermarket the evening was a huge success.

A moving speech by Martin Horwood MP highlighted the ramifications for both the recruited volunteers of the Chinese Labour Corps as well as for China’s destiny.

But undoubtedly the highlight of the evening was the unveiling of the donation of a banner created by men of the 130th Company of the Chinese Labour Corps and given as a gift to their departing commanding officer, Col. AA Kennedy. The banner carries significant historical data, with the names in Chinese of the Company, but most inspiring is the banner’s  message.  The four Chinese characters 工華及愛 can be translated as “Love for the Chinese Workers” and is an incredible reflection of the depth of feeling that the men of the Chinese Labour Corps should have towards Colonel Kennedy.

The story of Colonel Kennedy was explained by his grandson Andrew Denison, who, with his brother, Simon Denison, were making this most generous donation. Read the story and see the banner here.