What stories could these walls tell? Lyemun Barracks Block 03 stands before us. It whispers tales of British soldiers and a Hong Kong transformed.
Lyemun Barracks Block 03 was constructed in 1939. It served initially as a Barrack Room Office or store. This Grade III historic building echoes with the past. It is now part of the Lei Yue Mun Park and Holiday Village.
The entire former barracks compound has earned Grade I historic status. This reflects its significant historical value. However individual buildings have their own grades. Blocks have Grade I, II, or III status.
Lyemun Barracks got its name from the nearby fishing village of Lei Yue Mun. During the Japanese Occupation from 1941 to 1945 the barracks fell under Japanese control.
Between 1948 and 1985 the barracks housed the Depot and Record Office. This office belonged to the Hong Kong Military Service Corps. In 1985, the government took over. The area was then converted into the Lei Yue Mun Park and Holiday Village.
Today the holiday village offers diverse facilities. Rope courses and a horse-riding school are here. You can also find tennis and basketball courts plus football pitches. The rooms once occupied by soldiers are now living quarters for visitors.
Other blocks in the area have interesting histories too. Block 02 is another Grade III historic building. Block 05 was the former gymnasium. It is now indoor games halls and leisure centers. Block 07 served as the HKMSC Training Complex. It is now a coffee corner. Block 10 stands as the Indoor Recreation Center.
As you explore, remember Block 03’s place within the larger story of Lyemun Barracks. It is part of Hong Kong’s military history. It now provides recreation and leisure. The transformation from barracks to holiday village represents change. It also represents adaptation in the face of time.