Across the Nation
Reports from the Regions
BC Banter
Ab/Sk Action
Manitoba Moments
Ontario Offerings
Quebec Quotes
Maritime Memories
BC Banter ….
- Linda Stewart
Hello Everyone,
Earlier this month on June 4th I attended the Victoria Veterans Client
Advisory Committee Meeting at the office of Veterans Affairs
Canada. These
meetings are hosted by VAC twice a year to share information and provide updates
on Veterans Affairs programs. With the aid of modern technology and a big screen
TV we held a video conference with two ladies in Charlottetown, PEI. We could
see them as they gave a presentation of the Veterans Review and Appeal Board.
They could see us on their screen and we could speak to each other to ask
questions. We then had a video conference with a lady who is the manager of the
Operational Stress Injury Clinic that has just started up in Vancouver. It was
quite an interesting process and all very informative.
We just completed one-half of our annual spring luncheons on June 13th. It was, indeed, a beautiful spring day in Victoria. We were honoured to have two Hong Kong Veterans and the widow of a member of the Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps in attendance. David Golden, now residing in Victoria BC, was with the Winnipeg Grenadiers, and Gerry Gerrard was with the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals. Vilma Sequeira is the widow of Tony Sequeira (HKVDC). She sat at my table and we had a wonderful conversation.
Gerry and his beautiful wife Ev were there with their daughter Pat, her
husband Dave and their two sons Brian and Kevin. Brian (Gerry’s grandson) and
his wife Correna are expecting their second child shortly. Pat tells me it’s a
boy and will be a brother for Brody. I’ve known for a couple of years now that
Kevin has an “HK” emblem tattooed on his arm along with his grandfather’s
regimental insignia. I was finally able to remember to take a couple of pictures
of his arm at this Victoria luncheon. Quite a tribute to his grandfather, don’t
you think?
Gerry Tuppert (son of Bill Tuppert (d), RRC) travelled over the Malahat from Duncan BC to be at the luncheon. Gerry is planning on being in Ottawa in August for the unveiling of the Memorial Wall. It was a pleasure to meet him and hear stories of his Dad. Gwen Day (daughter of Bertram Gilbert (d), RRC) had a long conversation with my soon-to-be husband, Ron Quesnel. They conversed in both official languages. She threatened to tell Ron all the secrets she knew about me. I wonder how that went? Note to self – “learn to speak French”.
Jim and Anne Trick (son and daughter-in-law of Charles R. Trick (d) WG) were in attendance and contributed to the conversation at our table. Jim is our webmaster and National Secretary for the HKVCA and we appreciate all his work very much.
We were very pleased to have Donna Kirk - District Nursing Officer (a former Winnipegger) representing Veterans Affairs Canada. She read a “greeting” from VAC which thanked our veterans for their sacrifice and acknowledged that our freedom today is a result of their service. She has first-hand knowledge of the Winnipeg Grenadiers as a result of growing up in Winnipeg, and said some very heart-felt words of how much respect she has for the HK vets.
I gave the most recent update regarding the Memorial Wall. I’m sure you’ll have already read about it in other areas of this newsletter so I won’t go into the details. You know that the regions have been asked to loan monies to the Memorial Wall fund in order to successfully complete the Wall on time for unveiling on August 15th. I asked those in attendance at our Victoria luncheon if they agreed to have BC lend monies toward the Wall. Everyone’s hands were in the air. We have held a meeting of the BC executive members and we are all in agreement. It shall be done.
We will report on the June 27th Vancouver luncheon in the next edition of the newsletter.
On a personal note, as I alluded to earlier, the next time I give my report the name I will use will be “Linda Quesnel”. Ron and I will be married on July 19th at Saxe Point in Victoria. We couldn’t be happier. Our “honeymoon” will be in August when we drive across Canada to be in attendance at the unveiling of the Memorial Wall. We’ll see you all then.
Please take very good care of each other. May God bless you and keep you, until we meet again.
Warmest regards,
Linda Stewart – submitted on behalf of Murray Doull, Bev Campbell and Lee Naylor
Ab/Sask Action...
Hello from the Alberta/Sask Region,
We are getting excited about joining many of you at the Ottawa Convention. I have been talking to many of the Veterans, Widows and family members. There are quite a few of our members planning on attending the convention. I know for the Veterans, it can be difficult to travel; however some of them are very determined to be there with their comrades. The courage and strength of these great men and women always amazes me. Special thanks go to the Wall Committee for all the work they have done to get the wall ready for the dedication in August. I know more money is needed to complete the project, and I hope more is raised at the convention.
We got together for a luncheon on May 20th at Ralph MacLean’s house. We hope to get more of our members interested in traveling to Ottawa.
Again, wishing you all a great summer and looking forward to the August event.
Norma Fuchs,
Secretary AB/SK Region.
Manitoba Moments ….
We were saddened by the passing of Art Lousier, WG, a dedicated supporter and attendee of the HKVA and all our functions, condolences to wife, Doreen; son, Rick; daughter Denise and grandchildren. We will remember them.
We are very proud of George Peterson, President of the Manitoba Branch of the HKVA as he was inducted into the Veterans Hall of Valour in May and it will soon be announced that he will receive the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation next week. George Peterson would like to thank Phil Doddridge and Flash Clayton for nominating him for the induction to the Hall of Valour.
MB Education committee attended the Red River Heritage Days at the University of Winnipeg with our tabletop display and information for the students and teachers. We are looking at presenting an award next year for the best Battle of Hong Kong display. Using the new presentation that was created by ON Region we will be making several presentations in the Fall. The tabletop display will be in the Manitoba Museum from the end of October to November 15 where a display is located at the end of the Parklands Gallery - the 'Impact of War' unit. What they have now added is the Curatorial Notebook, on a pedestal in front of the display, and pull-out panels with photos of the Hong Kong Vets. It is a permanent exhibit. It's not huge by any means, but they've packed a lot of information into the space that was available.
Juliet Lafortune received a copy of a letter from a young student, Kevin Ashier in Ontario, thanking Mr MacDonell for the great presentation given to his grade 10 class. The information presented on the Hong Kong Battle was an eye opener helping them understand more the concepts of war.
Tea and Tidbits, a ladies event, held 4 times a year took place on June 20th and Manitoba Region will be observing VJ day on August 23, 2009 with a rededication of the Manitoba Region HKVA plaque in the All Saints Church where the Winnipeg Grenadier Colours are hanging.
Vince Lopata and Dennis Bell have been investigating a Military Medal that Bill Bell, WG, HK vet, wears as there was no record of it in the Canadian military records. Bill also has the Coronation Medal which is often given with British honours and that is what appears to have occurred with Bill. So this raises the question of how many other Canadian HK vets have these British honours that are not part of their military record.
The Colour Party and George Peterson attended the Winnipeg Grenadier Cadet Annual Inspection at Minto Armouries where George presented the Hong Kong Veterans Efficiency Award to the deserving cadet. The Colour Party will be in Lac du Bonnet for the “Canada Day Memorial” parade June 28.
Manitoba Region will be loaning the Memorial Wall $15,000 towards the foundation contract. We will be sending out letters to groups/people who our members think will be interested in making donations to our Wall project. Please contact the Wall Committee with any names or suggestions for fundraising.
On sick parade is Dick Wilson at Deer Lodge, Bob Lytle at Riverview and Grant Shepherd at home – also to any others that we haven’t heard of, we think of you often and wish you well.
It’s good to hear so many people are going to Ottawa to see the Memorial Wall – Derrill Henderson and the Convention Committee have done considerable work to ensure this memorable event will focus on the veterans, veterans wives and widows who are able to attend.
We have some new items in Barry’s Emporium – HKVA flag, license plate holders and golf shirts – check them out online at http://www.hkvca.ca/store/index.htm
– MB Region Exec
Ontario Offerings….
On August 8 the Hong Kong Children’s Symphony Orchestra will be giving a
concert in Toronto. Tickets are $25 and $100, and there are sponsorship
opportunities available for businesses. All of the proceeds will come directly
to the HKVCA to help fund the Memorial Wall and our other educational programs,
so please do your best to interest your friends in attending! I hope to see many
of our members there. If you would like to buy tickets or to get more
information, please call me at 416 732-5720 or email me at
msbabin@gmail.com .
The high school PowerPoint presentation that I’ve mentioned in previous newsletters is now complete and has been sent to all of our Area Reps and other interested parties in Ontario. It is being publicized on the HKVCA web site, and we’ve received a number of requests to send it out. There is no charge for it. I would like for as many of our members as possible to commit to giving the presentation at their local high schools. I will be running a training session (two sessions, in fact) at the Ottawa convention in August to help people get comfortable with using it to tell the HK story … so if you’re attending please plan to sit in on one of the workshops.
The official launch of the Virtual Museum of Asian Canadian Cultural Heritage was held on June 4 at York University in Toronto. We have contributed to this initiative of York University.
We held a South-Western Area luncheon in London, ON on May 2. We had a respectable turnout of 16 members, including two Veterans. A third was unable to attend at the last minute due to ill health. Everyone enjoyed themselves!
Pat Turcotte has done an admirable job over the last couple of years of setting up and running the Teachers’ Zone on the HKVCA web site. Due to the pressure of other commitments Pat has stepped down from this role, and we are now looking for a replacement to take over her role. If you are interested in helping, please contact Pat at petsask@sympatico.ca or 905 274-3189 or me at msbabin@gmail.com or 416 732-5720.
We have two open Area Rep positions in Ontario: the GTA and Southwestern Ontario. The main responsibility of our Area Reps is to maintain contact with the members in their Area, and to provide a small writeup about the members and HKVCA activities in their Area for the quarterly newsletters. Please contact me if you would be interested in accepting one of these important and fulfilling positions.
Essay Contest
Pat Turcotte, the Chair of our Education Committee reports: The winners of the 2009 Cross-Canada Essay Contest have now been decided. The Contest was indeed representative of the various parts of the country in that the participants were not only from Ontario, but from Alberta, and British Columbia as well. The contest winners have been informed and will receive their cheques shortly. Once this part of the process has been completed, the winners’ essays will be sent to the Teachers’ Zone on our HKVCA Website to be displayed there until such time as it is appropriate to transfer them to the Website’s archives. Many thanks to the judges who participated in the Contest. They were most co-operative in terms of their attention to detail, and the promptness of their submissions. Once the awards have been disbursed, the judges will discuss with the members of the Ontario Executive the direction the Essay Contest will take from this point forward.
On a completely different front, members of the Ontario Executive were invited to the Royal Hong Kong Regiment (Volunteers) Association Dinner on Saturday, May 30th. Pat and Bernard Turcotte were able to represent HKVCA at the event. George MacDonell was one of the main speakers, and reminded everyone of the close relationship between the Volunteers and the Canadian soldiers in the Battle of Hong Kong, and the importance of continuing the connection between the two groups.
On June 13th and June 14th, the Ontario Region will be involved in Canadian International Military Tattoo to be held at the Copps Coliseum in Hamilton. There will be two performances, one on Saturday evening, the 13th and the second on Sunday afternoon, the 14th. Leon Sokalski, Area Rep. for West Central, has volunteered to look after the special exhibit being sent from Winnipeg, which will be set up in the foyer of the Coliseum. Members of the Executive are assisting in looking after the display, which outlines the various aspects of the Battle for Hong Kong and the role Canadian soldiers played in that battle.
Ron McGuire, our Area Representative for Eastern Ontario reports: Unfortunately, Ken Ewing [RRC] broke his hip, had a successful operation but while recuperating got pneumonia, which he got over but had another bout. I am pleased to tell you that he successfully battled it all and after months in hospital and convalescent facilities is back home. Ken is again receiving therapy, is progressing well, and is able to walk the long driveway from his house to the road. We all hope to see Ken and Susan at the Reunion in August.
Eric Maloney [RRC] has had some health problems over the winter but is now doing well. My good friend Bill MacWhirter [RRC] also had some problems, which required he make several trips from Gaspe to hospital in Quebec City. I am pleased he has overcome them and is looking forward to coming to Ottawa with his family and several friends.
While I continue to serve on the Memorial Wall Committee, I am pleased that Randy Wing, son of the late Peter Wing, [RRC], has agreed to join us. His background and expertise has been invaluable on this project and I thank him for coming on board. I am also on the Convention Organizing Committee and responsible, as I was in 2005, for the Memorabilia Room. If you plan to bring anything for exhibiting in the Room please let me know now, so that I can allot the appropriate space to you.
Canada Veterans Hall of Valour Update by Ron McGuire:
L to R---Col. Neil Puddicome, ex-Canadian
Airborne, whose uncle was the Canadian Judge on the Japanese War Crimes
Tribunal, George MacDonell, RRC, George Peterson, WG, and Ron McGuire. On 23 May
2009 I had the privilege to prepare the Induction statements for Sgt. George
Peterson [WG] and Major John Reid, MBE [RCAMC-Brigade HQ].
I read the statement for George who was escorted by his three daughters to accept his Induction Portfolio. George gave an excellent acceptance speech.
Flash Clayton [RRC] was to share the reading of the statement for Major Reid with George MacDonell [RRC]. Unfortunately Flash suffered a stroke, and could not be with us. However, I am pleased to tell you that Flash quickly recovered and is doing very well. I shared the reading with George, who added some of his personal recollections of Major Reid. Jon Reid accepted his father’s Portfolio and gave a very nice speech on behalf of his family. Derrill Henderson, Mitzi Ross and Alan, her husband also attended the Luncheon. Flash with Jessie, his wife, and George were inducted into the Hall of Valour in 2007 and 2008 respectively.
Twelve members of Major John Reid's family were at his Hall of Valour induction
in Ottawa, six from Ontario and six from British Columbia and Alberta: (left to
right) Jon Reid (son, Toronto), Julian Reid (grandson, Ottawa), Giles Reid
((grandson, Toronto), Kim Groves (granddaughter, Calgary), Deryn Ramsey
granddaughter, Campbell River), Janet Harris (daughter-in-law, Toronto), Harry
Ramsey (grandson, Campbell River), Stephanie Reid (granddaughter, Owen Sound),
Daniel Reid (grandson, Orillia), Mary Ramsey (daughter, Campbell River), Jock
Reid (son, Vancouver), Rob Ramsey (son-in-law, Campbell River).
The CVHofV Board of Directors has accepted my recommendations for next year’s Inductions. The following five men will be inducted on Saturday 22 May 2010:
-Sgt Ronald Routledge, DCM [RCCS- Brigade HQ]. As a POW, Routledge was on special service involving intelligence matters. After he was suspected by the Japanese, he suffered and endured a variety of tortures, but never admitted his involvement nor did he reveal the names of the others involved.
-Pte. John Adams, L/Cpl George Berzenski, Pte. Percy Ellis, and Sgt. John Payne, all were WGs, and each man received a Mentioned in Dispatches. In August 1942 the foursome escaped from North Point Camp, but were recaptured, beaten, tortured and executed.
They will bring the total number of members of "C" Force to be inducted to eighteen. There have also been another twenty Canadians inductees who fought in the Pacific Campaign, making a substantial representation from this once overlooked theatre of war.
The Hall of Valour’s Brick Building Fund continues to be a success. It allows participants to remember loved ones in a meaningful way.
Northern Region
Some sad news from our Northern region: We would like to mention the passing of George Hallada Winnipeg Grenadier Veteran of Thunder Bay, 90 yrs. old January 18th, 2009. Our condolences are extended to his son John and his family. Jackie LeDrew, our Northern area rep writes that it was a treat to talk to him over the past few years and hear his golf stories. He will be missed by everyone who knew him.
That's the news from Ontario!
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Quebec Quotes ….
Greeting from sunny Quebec
Summer is finally here with it’s greenery, many flowers and our little feathered friends with their serenades. Since our last news, we held our executive meeting and as usual reports were read, subjects were discussed with some answers and others to be studied. Marcel and I attended our Royal Canadian Legion QC Command bi-annual convention held in May here in Granby. Again the business sessions were well attended and many points were made by the delegates. A commemorative ceremony was held at our local cenotaph. Comrade Pat Varga Dominion Vice-President of the RCL took the Salute escorted by Marcel Mondou.
The social side of the weekend was quieter than in the past years. All in all it was again a great experience. We are invited to represent our Veterans for the Canada Day Celebrations in Montreal for July 1st. Results from a recent survey, QC will be very well represented in Ottawa for the Memorial Wall Unveiling and Convention with many veterans, widows, families and friends in attendance. All are looking forward to Ottawa in August.
Again we, in QC Region, have lost more of ours, Veteran Samuel Disensi RRC, Widow Ethel Stickles and Wives Cecile Thompson and Bertha Barter. WE WILL REMEMBER THEM!
We continue our calls to Veterans and Widows to say Hello and see that they are well. We are pleased to announce that Irene Dallain, wife of Jean Paul Dallain, has graciously accepted to bring us news and be our ears from the Gaspe Coast. She has already talked to many and will report later. Thank you Irene and welcome on the team.
We have new members to our list and Welcome to you all.
That will be it for this time. Take care and looking forward to seeing you all in Ottawa.
- Lucette Mailloux Muir
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Maritime Memories…
On behalf of all the Atlantic Region Executive – we would like to wish all the Vets, spouses, widows and families all the Best in 2009.