WOII Shepherd MBE

SHEPHERD, Harold Barlow, Warrant Officer Class II (Company Sergeant-Major) MBE (E.30180)

Royal Rifles of Canada

Canada Gazette dated 15 June 1946 (No. 24, Vol. 80, p.3849) and CARO/6632 dated 17 June 1946.

NOTE: RG.7 Group 26 Volume 59 has recommendation for a Distinguished Conduct Medal; clearly altered to MBE.

Company Sergeant-Major Shepherd of the Royal Rifles of Canada was taken prisoner of war at Hong Kong in December 1941. When he was sent to Japan as a labourer Company Sergeant-Major Shepherd was placed in charge of a section of 50 men and throughout the remainder of his period as a prisoner of war fought in the interests of his men. By consistently fighting with the Japanese, insisting on better treatment for the men, he did a great deal to maintain morale and succeeded in making conditions more bearable for all the prisoners of war in his camp. When making up working parties the Japanese took no notice of the physical conditions of the men they ordered to work and this was a constant source of trouble. On one occasion a man who was too ill to work was being sent out on a working party; Company Sergeant-Major Shepherd asked permission of the Japanese guard to take him to the Medical Inspection Room for treatment. This was refused. Shortly after, this man fainted and Company Sergeant-Major Shepherd ordered him carried to the Medical Inspection Room. When the guard interfered and slapped Company Sergeant-Major Shepherd, Shepherd punched the guard in the face. The guard thrust his bayonet through Company Sergeant-Major Shepherd's arm, and he was then placed in the Guard Room sentenced to 21 days detention at half rations.

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