Nelson Victor Halward

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Reverend Nelson Victor Halward (侯利華), M. C., M. A. was the Colony Commissioner of the Boy Scout Association, Hong Kong Branch from 1934 to 1950.

For gallantry and devotion to duty during an attack on enemy position S. W. of Fleurbaix, on 30th September 1918. His platoon was selected to secure and hold an enemy position on a flank, and he pushed them forward and occupied an advanced position, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. In face of heavy machine-gun fire and snipers he held on to his position, and it was mainly owing to his coolness and initiative that the remainder of the attacking troops gained their objectives.

From London Gazette, 31st January 1919

Halward was in office when China and Hong Kong were under the military thread and occupation of Japanese. During his commissionership, Scout Movement rooted among Chinese population in Hong Kong. Chinese commissioners were helped to develop Scouting in Hong Kong. On the other hand, he established some cooperation with Scouts of China for training of Scouters in Canton (present-day Guangzhou in China).