HONG KONG VETERANS’ ASSOCIATION OF CANADA 


 

MANITOBA BRANCH

PO BOX 381

WINNIPEG, MB R3C 2H6

0CTOBER, NOVEMBER, DECEMBER, 2000

EDITOR:  Carol Hadley (204) 837-6754

Email: cahadley@shaw.ca

 


 

 

In this issue:

President’s Report.. 1

Hong Kong Veterans’ Commemorative Association.. 1

Winnipeg Grenadier’s Hong Kong Trust Fund.. 2

Website Updates. 2

Notes from Barry Mitchell, Treasurer and Membership. 2

New Medal. 3

Last Post.. 3

Miscellaneous Items. 4

Humour.. 5

Reminders. 6

 

 As 2000 Closes!

Another year comes to a close with a mixture of memories and the promise of a new beginning.  So this Association moves on into a new phase with added strength.

President’s Report

- George Peterson

Well summer is almost over and I sincerely hope everyone enjoyed a good one.  Other than the month of August, I know that I have had a good summer.

During August our colours were once again proudly flying at the cenotaph in Winnipeg.  A Big Thank You goes out to our associate member Stan Lopata for seeing to this for us.  Stan is also a member of our colour party.

Fred Wright and I attended the memorial services at Brookside Cemetery on Sunday, September 10th and laid a wreath on your behalf.  Fred was also our delegate to the ANAF Veterans Convention in Saskatoon this year in place of Harry Atkinson. 

Through some mix-up he was not recognized by the convention and apologies for this error are forthcoming to Fred.  I had the honour of attending Branch #60 of the ANAF Veterans on Garry Street on the occasion of unveiling their memorial military mural which is the entire south wall of their clubrooms.  This is worth a trip to see. 

As you go down Graham Avenue look northward and there it is in all its splendor. 

I must apologize for my non attendance at our own Commemorative Associations’ Memorial Service at All Saints Church in August, and to those who were there, THANK YOU.

The last report that I have received on the remaining survivors of “C” Force, there are 289 of us still living.  Our numbers are getting smaller.  “We will remember them”.

Don’t forget and please try to come out to our Annual Reunion dinner at the Holiday Inn Airport West on October 21st , 2000.  If you are mobile, we would love to see you there.  Keep well and in touch.

(Editor: George had surgery on his feet that week and wasn’t mobile.  Julie also had foot surgery and was unable to attend.  We missed them both but Lora did a fine job.)

 Hong Kong Veterans’ Commemorative Association

- Juliet Lafortune

Just a friendly reminder about the deadline for the Reunion Dinner.  Mailing back the request forms is NO later than OCTOBER 10, 2000.

“Oooooops!!!” there is an error on the forms - dinner is either Prime Rib or Teriyaki Chicken - NOT Chicken Wellington.                                   

Please call or notify me if you have a gift donation tobe picked up.  Happy Thanksgiving to all.  See you at the Reunion. 

Hong Kong Veteran’s Commemorative Association meeting to be held the following dates: November 7, 2000 & January 16, 2001 at 7:00 p.m.  Please try and attend.

 

(Julie has an email address now and can be reached at   jlafortune@email.com)

Winnipeg Grenadier’s Hong Kong Trust Fund

-

Donna Remillard

 

We are still seeking donations for the Winnipeg Grenadiers Hong Kong Trust Fund and cheques should be made out in that name (not HKVA).   The Hong Kong Veteran’s Association make a donation to this fund in memory of each deceased veteran member .

Contributions can be directed to Donna Remillard at 303_740 Kenaston Boulevard, Winnipeg, MB R3N 1Y3 or phone her at 489-0008.

Notes from Barry Mitchell, Treasurer and Membership

 

Greetings again to all our members!!. I hope everyone had an enjoyable and relaxing summer. I know one thing you weren't doing--paying your bills!! I guess the summer months are a good time to sit on your wallet but now you need to bite the bullet and bring yourself up-to-date with your Veterans' Organization. We think it's reasonable to expect everyone to pay their dues in the current year, so we are going to continue to remind you that we need your support. This newsletter costs a bunch to print and mail, so if you want to stay on the mailing list, please be sure your dues have been paid.

 

Whenever I meet with members of our association, I'm asked "Have I paid my dues--do I owe you any money?". Well, for this mailing we're going to make it easy for you. If you have not paid for the current year 2000, you will find a pre-addressed envelope along with this newsletter. Thus we have offered you a subtle reminder as well as something in which to send us your cheque. The fees for Veterans are $15.00 per year while Associate Members are charged $7.50. Membership in the Commemorative Association is $15.00 annually, with all widows included free of charge. All dues are to be sent to P.O. Box 381, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3C 2H6.

 

You may be interested to know that our complete mailing list for the H.K.V.A. is made up of a total of 275 people--84 Veterans and 191 Associate Members. At the time this letter was sent out, we had 185 paid memberships paid for the year 2000. On the other hand, the Commemorative Association, which presently has 102 names on the mailing list, has 73 paid up members---a much higher percentage than H.K.V.A. The total membership between the two organizations has remained fairly constant over the last few years with a slow but steady growth in the Commemorative group. Please continue to alert your sons, daughters, nieces, nephews, etc. to the value of continuing to perpetuate the memory of those who served overseas.

 

On another housekeeping matter, we would appreciate being included on the list of those you advise of your change of address when you move. For example, Jean Zilkie recently moved within the same building and was thoughtful enough to let us know that her apartment number had changed. I can assure you that the post office demands a complete and current address or the mail is returned. We try to find our "lost" members by calling relatives, etc. but a simple card to P.O. Box 381 in Winnipeg will keep us in touch.

 

Speaking of the mail, I was pleased that Yvonne Hogle had the patience to deal with Canada Post recently as they didn't seem to know we exist. She had sent her dues to what she thought was the proper address but the post office sent her letter back, saying we are "unknown" at P.O. Box 381. I have no idea why this happened, but her membership later arrived at my house and all is well…..Nice note from the Falcon family who are looking ahead and taking out dues in the Commemorative Association for a couple of years at a time. Thanks for the support!!…..Phenomenal donation from John Pollock of West Hill, Ontario! He tells us he now uses a cane and is a little shaky, so he might not make it to the Reunion Dinner this year. However, he certainly has been generous to the Commemorative Association and his gift will go a long way in sustaining our activities. Many thanks and good health, John. Having talked with you over the phone recently, I suspect you will find your way to the Reunion Dinner in Winnipeg next month…..Received some interesting memorabilia from Tom Forsyth of Reston, MB. Thanks for sharing these notices and articles which have been a part of your personal experience…..Welcome Dick Wilson of Stonewall, MB. to the Commemorative Association. It's nice that some of the Veterans are helping this new organization with their membership and generous donations as well…..Most interesting and thoughtful letter from Neil Bardal of Winnipeg, along with his generous donation and dues for a couple of years. He caught me without my computer (I was on holidays) so a proper response had to wait for my return to my office. Neil put forward some good ideas for keeping up our memories and traditions and we will be following up with him on all these matters…..Wow! When Blanche Younker of Winnipeg catches up with her bills, she really comes through! In one envelope, we found two years dues for Doris Peterson in the HKVA, as well as two years dues for Blanche and Joe Levene. Well done folks!!

 

Interesting note from Grant Shepherd with his comments on "The Battle for Hong Kong", a history paper which was on display at our VJ Day ceremony. I had sent him a copy at his request and asked for his thoughts on the matter. Grant was a member of the British naval force and had served on two of the four gunboats stationed in Hong Kong. He offered some details on the navy aspect of the historical summary and confirmed that there were three destroyers involved: the HMS Thanet, HMS Scout and HMS Thracian which was sunk in the course of evacuating troops from the mainland. Thanks for the commentary, Grant……Cliff Matthews also received a copy of "The Battle " and paid a visit to my house to chat about it. Unfortunately I was not at home and I hope my wife and daughter offered some good chitchat for you, Cliff. Thanks for the visit along with your usual generous contribution towards the Reunion Dinner……Which reminds me---see you all at the Holiday Inn West next month.

            Cheers,            Barry Mitchell

 

 

Commemorative

I sincerely hope everyone with a computer has been checking out the Commemorative’s website (http://members.xoom.com/hkvca/).  Linda May, Julie Lafortune's daughter, the custodian, and one of the developers of the site has invested a  tremendous amount of love and diligence to make this site a marvelous tribute to the Hong Kong Vets.  This award winning site is so wonderful and informative that  I don't think you will be disappointed. 

Membership renewals  ($15.00) are now due and can be sent to Barry Mitchell, 22 Tunis Bay, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2X1 .  Widows of Hong Kong Vets are exempt. 

Crests ($18.00) for blazers are available.  This is the new Associations crest - it is professionally made, similar to the military crests and has a 5 - 7 week delivery on it. 

 

Monument HK markers ($48.00) are available.   These are mounted on the gravestone - the marker is metal and coated in heavy-duty red enamel with white HK emblazoned on it.  The package has a registration inside that should be sent to Ottawa to be archived. 

The crests and markers can be purchased from Lora Wachtendorf (1-204-388-6536).

Last Post

 

We were saddened to hear:

 

^Francis Andrews passed away August 3, 2000

           

^Andrew Arsenault passed away August 12, 2000

 

^William Bradley passed away August 29, 2000

 

^Leo Pitre passed away September 14, 2000

 

^Earl Francis passed away September 17, 2000

 

^Noreen Phillips (nee Kelso) passed away August 8, 2000                   (Commemorative)

 

 

Our thoughts and prayers are extended to all the families and friends.

“We will remember them”

 

Hong Kong Service Medal

 

The Hong Kong Veterans Commemorative Association have arranged with a contact in England to save the cost of the shipping and handling charges by having a collective order for these medals.  For $65.00 for the regular size or $24.00 for the miniature, please forward your cheque to:  

 

Hong Kong Veterans Commemorative Association

Suite #164, 1 Stafford Road

Nepean, ON K2H 1B9

Here is an image and description of the medal ....

 

The Medal

Obverse

The medal features a symbolic Bird of Paradise delicately modelled with all its fine detail frosted on a mirror polished background, Surrounding the design are the words Hong Kong Service Medal with the dates 1841 - 1997 denoting the period Hong Kong was 'The Crown Colony of Hong Kong'.

 

Reverse

Again, a brilliant polished background carries the

central feature of Hong Kong written in Cantonese.

The golden appearance of the medal giving prestige

and a most appropriate commemorative significance to service in the 'Fragrant Harbour'.

 

The Ribbon

 

Blue represents the waters, channels and the seas surrounding Hong Kong

and the New Territories with the centre Golden Yellow stripe representing the rich and strategic 'Jewel in the Crown'. The exclusively designed woven medal ribbon is fitted to a uniquely designed medal suspender, which

features two powerful inter-twined dragons 'guarding the Colony'.

 

Eligibility

 

Available to all former civil and military personnel who served  for a minimum period of six months in The Crown Colony of  Hong Kong, in addition eligibility is extended to include next  of kin.  Award Productions Ltd. international medallists and medallists  to the Royal British Legion, have been invited to sponsor and  produce this distinctive and befitting tribute to be worn with  pride, not alongside campaign medals or gallantry decorations,  but separately and distinctively.  The sponsors have pledged ten percent of the net cost of each  medal sold  to be donated to SSAFA Forces Help,

the Soldiers,  Sailors, Airmen and Families Association _ Forces Help.  Produced to the exacting standards for which Award  Productions have become renowned, this very distinctive golden  36mm medal is struck with all the detail frosted on a mirror  polished background. Each medal is ribboned and fitted with an  individual brooch ready to wear. All our medals are produced in  England to the highest standards

 

 

 

Miscellaneous Items

I had a phone call from Lorna Cardinal to tell me that Charlie was in hospital.  We sincerely hope that things improve for Charlie and a BIG  HELLO from all your HK buddies.  Lorna also mentioned that Regis Lajeunesse was in hospital ... we hope for good things for Regis as well ... we are thinking of you both and wish you all the best.

           

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Here is an email I received recently and maybe someone can help with information about Edward Ross Keating :

My wife's grandfather was a member of the Royal Rifles of Canada, R.C.I.C. and died in Hong Kong Dec.22, 1941.  For some incredible reason, her family has no pictures of him and they know very little about him and the circumstances surrounding his death.I've been told that the picture appeared in a Toronto newspaper, but I don't know if it was a story about him, his death, an obituary or something else.  The photo is remembered as being fairly large (8x10). My question is, do you know if the photograph would have been taken by the newspaper or did the army take such pictures and provide them to the newspaper?  Do you know where I could begin searching?  We will be inquiring at the local library and the Toronto daily papers, but I wondered if there were other archives that could contain this picture (possibly others).  We are seeking as much information about him as we can.  Being only 22 when he died, he had hardly any time to live before he died for his country.  We are trying to make sure that he is remembered well.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Regards,

Bill Oates

 

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A Little Bit of History

           

                For some time, I have had a memory 'snapshot' of my cousin and me attending a church ceremony at Whytewold Beach (Lake Winnipeg) when we were kids. I felt it was something to do with our grandfather and the loss of his two sons, so this summer I started to hunt around. I found that there was an Anglican church at Whytewold and made contact with the local People's Warden who in turn confirmed that a lectern had been dedicated by my grandfather.

 

            I made arrangements to meet at the church and took a few photographs. It's a beautiful little old church and is in use every Sunday. I gather the congregation consists of a few of the older local residents with some of the summer cottage people attending on a seasonal basis. The original building was constructed 77 years ago but now there is an addition which functions as a hall (probably not for Anglican bingo). Everything is so well kept, both inside and out.  The lectern is in use each week and I'm guessing it was dedicated about 1948. I tried to take pictures of the plaque which is inscribed as follows:

 

 

THIS LECTERN WAS DONATED BY

E.A.V. MITCHELL

IN MEMORY OF HIS WIFE

CHARLOTTE EMILY MITCHELL

FOR 42 YEARS SUMMER RESIDENTS AT WHYTEWOLD

ALSO OF THEIR SONS

LIEUT. W. VAUGHAN MITCHELL AND LIEUT. ERIC L. MITCHELL

BOTH KILLED IN ACTION AT HONG KONG

CHRISTMAS   1941

 

I find this little bit of history to be most interesting and because of the thoughtfulness of my grandfather, the Mitchell family will always have a presence in Whytewold.         

 

Barry Mitchell

August, 2000

 

Ë                            Ë                            Ë

               

Barry Mitchell asked me to mention that he has new copies of the Winnipeg Grenadiers Roster, also known as the Honour Roll. They can be purchased for $15.00---suitable for framing.  He will also have them at the Reunion Dinner.

 

Ë                            Ë                            Ë

 

Do you know who the author is? - U of M paper entitled " A Price, A Pride, A Prayer:  "Hong Kong and the Winnipeg Grenadiers" 

A copy of a draft paper, prepared by a student at the University of Manitoba, was found in a printer and sent to our attention.  We would like to find the author as we are most interested in talking with whoever is studying this subject and with their approval, making this paper available to those who are interested in reading more about the history of the Winnipeg Grenadiers.  Please contact Carol Hadley (837-6754) or Barry Mitchell (269-1497) if you wrote this essay or know who did.

 

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HKVCA Website

 

Hi all.  Just wanted to bring everyone an update on the web page.  You can still find us at http://members.xoom.com/hkvca  

but hopefully soon we will have a better internet location.  We are currently looking towards our own domain name, which means in the future, it will be something like

http://www.hkvca.ca.   We will let you know as soon as that is up and running. 

 

Also, we would love to hear from anyone who can fill us in on the Gander story (I swear to you all, I do NOT live under a rock)  and if there is anyone who knows of any pictures that may be of use, please let me know.  I understand that there is to be a ceremony soon, so any pictures or details from that event would also be welcome. 

  

You can phone me at 905-777-0184 or email me at:  lindaandbillmay@attcanada.ca

 

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George Peterson passed his copy of the BC newsletter to me for this information: 

Saturday, October 21st the BC Branches of the HK and the HKVCA are having a Reunion Luncheon.

Gander, the Royal Rifles’ mascot, will be receiving the Dickin Medal for Bravery.  A British General will becoming to Canada and the ceremony will take place at the British High Commission in Ottawa from noon to 3 p.m. on October 27th .  (Well done to all those who gathered the necessary information).          

     

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In the Ontario newsletter it has been reported that many of the ‘over eighty’ drivers are having difficulty getting a driver’s licence unless they take a written test and in some cases a road test as well.  The War Amps have further information if you require it.                     

 

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The Quebec-Maritimes newsletter reports the following  information:

- 60th wedding anniversary for Henry and Isabel Lyons, congratulations!!

- Far East Pilgrimage - the count is 22 HK Vets and 56 family members on tour.  Departure is November 28 from Vancouver and return December 8 to Vancouver.

- confirmation that Sheila Rattie will be moving to Calgary and that Marcel Mondou will be taking over her duties.   

Ë                    Ë                    Ë

 

A decision was made to move the Semi-Annual December meeting up one week to accommodate the holiday.  So mark your calendar for December 14th , 2000 for the meeting at 1:00 p.m.  Please make every effort to attend as we almost missed having a quorum in June.                                                           

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Humour

            Beauty Secrets

 

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

For beautiful hair, let a child run his/her fingers through it once a day.

For poise, walk with the knowledge you never walk alone.

We leave you a tradition of the future.

The tender loving care of human beings will never become obsolete.

People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, redeemed and redeemed and redeemed.  Never throw anyone away.

Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm.

As you grow older, you'll discover that you have two hands:

One for helping yourself, the second for helping others.

You have great days still ahead of you.

May there be many of them.

 

                        J         J         J         J

I was on vacation, playing the slot machines.  It was my first time in a casino, and I wasn't sure how the machines operated. 

"Excuse me." I said to a casino employee.  "How does this work?"

 

The worker showed me how to insert a bill, hit the spin button, and operate the release handle.  "And where does the money come out?"  I asked.

 

He smiled and motioned to a far wall before saying,

"Usually at the ATM."  __Reader's Digest

 

                        J         J         J         J

 A man in a hot air balloon realized he was lost. He reduced altitude and spotted a woman below. He descended a bit more and shouted,

 

" Excuse me, can you help me? I promised a friend I would meet him an hour ago, but I don't know where I am. "

 

The woman below replied, " You are in a hot air balloon hovering approximately 30 feet above the ground. You are between 40 and 41 degrees north latitude and between 59 and 60 degrees west longitude."

 

" You must be an engineer, " said the balloonist.

 

" I am, " replied the woman, " How did you know? "

 

" Well, " answered the balloonist, "everything you told me is technically correct, but I have no idea what to make of your information, and the fact is, I am still lost. Frankly, you've not been much help so far. "

 

The woman below responded, " You must be a manager. "

 

" I am, " replied the balloonist, " but how did you know? "

 

" Well, " said the woman, " you don't know where you are or where you are going. You have risen to where you are due to a large quantity of hot air.  You made a promise which you have no idea how to keep, and you expect me to solve your problem. The fact is you are in exactly the same position you were in before we met, but now, somehow, it's my fault. "

                        J         J         J         J

 

Why God Loves Blondes

A blond woman named Brandi finds herself in dire trouble. Her business has gone bust and she's in serious financial trouble. She's so desperate that she decides to ask God for help. She begins to pray... "God, please  help me. I've lost my business and if I don't get some money, I'm going to lose my house as well. Please let me win the lotto."

Lotto night comes and somebody else wins it. Brandi again prays...God, please let me win the lotto! I've lost my business, my house and I'm going to lose my car as well." Lotto night comes and Brandi still has no luck.

Once again, she prays..."My God, why have you forsaken me?? I've lost my business, my house, and my car. My children are starving. I don't often ask you for help and I have always been a good servant to you. PLEASE just let me win the lotto this one time so I can get my life back in order."  Suddenly there is a blinding flash of light as the heavens open and Brandi is confronted by the voice of  God Himself... "Brandi, meet Me halfway on this. Buy a ticket!" 

                                                                                   

                        J         J         J         J

 

John invited his mother over for dinner.  During the course of the meal, his mother couldn't help but noticing how beautiful John's roommate was.  She had long been suspicious of a relationship between Jon and his roommate and this had only made her more curious.  Over the course of the evening, while watching the two react, she started to wonder if there was more between Jon and his roommate that met the eye.  Reading his mother's thoughts, John volunteered, "I know what you must be thinking, but I assure you Julie and I are just roommates."

 

About a week later, Julie came to John saying, "ever since you Mother came to dinner, I've been unable to find the beautiful silver gravy ladle. You don't suppose that your mother took it, do you?"  John said, "Well I doubt it, but I'll send her a letter just to be sure."  So he sat down and

wrote:

Dear Mother.

I'm not saying that 'did' take the gravy ladle from my house.  I'm not saying that you 'did not' take the gravy ladle.  But the fact remains that it has been missing ever since you were here for dinner."

 

Several days later, John received a letter from his mother which read:

Dear Son,

I'm not saying that you 'do' sleep with Julie, and I'm not saying that you 'do not' sleep with Julie.  But the fact remains that if she were sleeping in her own bed, she would have found the gravy ladle by now....Love Mom

Lesson of the day......Don't lie to MOM

Reminders 

MONTHLY LUNCHES are held the second Thursday of the month (except June and December) at Rae & Jerry's Restaurant on Portage Avenue near Polo Park.

 

  June 15th , and December 14th , 2000 - the semi-annual meetings are held at John Osborn, ANAF on Ellice and Empress at 1:00 p.m.

 

REUNION - October 21, 2000 -  information has been sent to everyone to come.

 

NOVEMBER 11, 2000 - Convention Centre

 

 

COMMEMORATIVE MEETINGS - November 7, 2000 & January 16, 2001 at 7:00 p.m. at  John Osborn ANAF on Ellice and Empress.

 

Your Executive

 

YOUR BRANCH COUNCIL PHONE NUMBERS - KEEP THEM HANDY:

George Peterson, President  256-7174

Borge Agerbak, 1st Vice                    897-3213

Roy Robinson,                                   256-3756

Carol Hadley, Secrtry/Newsletter 837-6754

Barry Mitchell, Treasurer/Membership    269-1497

Juliet Lafortune, Social                     338-3354

Terence Jackson, Memorials           452-1460

Harold Atkinson, Nat’l President  1-613-392-8074