Soldier honoured 43 years after bomb death

Left, Son Steven Workman-Farrar, Widow Maureen Farrar, and British High Commissioner Vicki Treadell, right, after the presentation of the Elizabeth Cross to Sergeant Colin Workman's family. Photos / NZPA

The New Zealand family of the only British soldier killed in a turbulent period in Hong Kong's history were presented with a medal today to honour him.

Bomb disposal expert Sergeant Colin Workman died when he tried to disarm a bomb planted under a flag pole by Maoist activists in 1967. The explosion hurled him more than 60 metres down a cliff on Lion Rock in Hong Kong.

British High commissioner Vicki Treadell presented Sgt Workman's family with the Elizabeth Cross, a medal presented to relatives of British armed forces personnel killed in action.

Sgt Workman's wife Maureen Farrar said her husband was passionate about his job in the army and it was an honour to receive the medal.

They met in the army, fell in love and moved to Singapore after they got married.

The last thing he said to her before he was posted to Hong Kong was "it's going to be my turn next," she said.

He died after being there only about a week.

Mrs Workman remarried and moved to New Zealand in 1974.

Her two sons were also territorial soldiers, and her second husband, who has since died, was a British soldier.

"It's in our blood," she said.

More than 8000 home-made bombs were planted around Hong Kong as Maoist activists, inspired by the cultural revolution in China, tried to confront the British Government during the period of the Chinese cultural revolution.

Sgt Workman's son, Steven Workman-Farrar, who was two years old when his father died, said he was the only British soldier to be killed in Hong Kong during this time.

But of the 20 or so people who trained in his father's ammunition disposal class, none was live by 1974.

British High Commissioner Vicki Treadell said Mrs Farrar was a courageous woman, as she handed her and her son the medal.

The medal, named after Queen Elizabeth II, was instituted to recognise the unique challenges that service personnel face on operations and from terrorism, and the burden it places on their families.

The first Elizabeth Crosses and Memorial Scrolls were granted in August last year. The cross award can be given to next of kin of British servicemen and women who died after 1948.

- NZPA