UK Navy Ditches Chinese Laundrymen

No more Chinese washing and pressing Navy uniforms

Last week there was news from the United Kingdom that the Navy is ending its almost century-long tradition of hiring Chinese laundrymen on British ships. It dates back to the 1930s when men from Hong Kong were hired to wash and press sailors' uniforms and officers' white tablecloths.

One Hongkonger, Chick Shun-chui, even toiled for 53 years before retiring at the age of 72 in 2002. Not only did he iron an estimated 3 million shirts, but also survived a bomb attack during the Falklands War between Britain and Argentina in 1982.

Chick worked for 53 years for the Navy

He was even made a Member of the British Empire and honoured British citizen when he finally returned to Hong Kong.

Now the laundrymen are being replaced by Nepalese Gurkhas.

The reason? There are concerns Beijing could threaten the laundrymen's family back home by making them spy on the Navy.

This comes after MI5 spy chief Ken McCallum said China has increased efforts to steal secrets from British nuclear submarines.

When the HMS Queen Elizabeth -- the Navy's flagship aircraft carrier was on the way to the contested South China Sea, three Chinese nationals were barred from going on board.

A fourth Chinese laundryman was dismissed this month -- after 39 years' of service -- as his family lives in Hong Kong.

Former First Sea Lord Admiral Lord West said, "If it is a question of security, the Navy has no choice. But it's sad as Chinese laundrymen have fought wars with us, some have died for us."

First of all it's shocking to find out the British Navy has had Chinese people doing their laundry for them.

Second, if the Navy was concerned about espionage, why didn't it end the practice of using Chinese men back in 1997?

McCallum warned of possible Chinese espionage

But it seems the Navy was so used to having the Chinese laundrymen that in May 1997, a deal was signed between the Ministry of Defence and a Hong Kong company called Worldwide Laundry Services (a partnership between Serco and Shao Brothers of Hong Kong) to continue having these civilians work on these battleships.

Despite the hard work, these jobs were apparently in demand because almost all the pay could be saved, while getting free accommodation and meals. The individual servicemen paid for their laundry bills which was around US$1,200 per month for an officer.

Just as well no one from Hong Kong is going to do this menial work anymore, but surely one would think by now the Brits would wash their own clothes?