Hello everyone! I hope that despite the hardships brought on by the terrible forest fire situation affecting many Canadians, you have been able to enjoy your summer.

Many of us attended V-J Day commemorations across the country last month, and I’d like to thank all of you who did so, and especially those who were involved in organizing these wonderful events.

80th Anniversary

Just two short years away is the 80th anniversary of the release and repatriation of Canada’s ‘C’ Force POWs, and our Board of Directors has decided that we will recognize this very significant occasion with some high-profile commemorative events and programs to properly remember and honour the bravery and sacrifices of ‘C’ Force, and to communicate their legacy to all Canadians.

We want to do this right, so we are establishing an 80th Anniversary Organizing Committee whose mission will be to create the 80th Anniversary plan and implement it. We invite enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers interested in serving on this committee to send me an email at president@hkvca.ca. We especially welcome those with good organizational and communications skills. Event management experience would be an asset. Because the committee will be geographically dispersed, the ability to participate in Zoom meetings and use email are essential (you do not need to have a Zoom account).

Even if you’re not interested in joining the committee, we welcome your ideas on how we can honour and perpetuate the legacy of the veterans of the Battle of Hong Kong. Please send your ideas and suggestions to president@hkvca.ca for the committee to consider.

Pitch in and let’s do our veterans proud!

Plaques

There are hundreds of Legion branches and dozens of military museums large and small across Canada. Hong Kong Veterans lived in many of these communities, but only a handful display any information about the Battle of Hong Kong. We have a terrific plaque that would shine in these places. And it’s free! We offer horizontal (as above) and vertical versions. Aussi offert en français! For more information, visit our plaque information page.

Make your own personal 80th Anniversary project to place one or more of these plaques in your community.

Virtual Events

Our virtual events program will resume on Monday, September 18 at 7:30pm ET. The speaker is Michael Petrou, historian at the Canadian War Museum. Michael has conducted over 200 interviews with veterans and family members, including Hong Kong veteran families. Join us to hear some of the fascinating stories Michael has uncovered.

Look for your invitation to register in your email and on Facebook in early September. Or register right now.

The following month (October 23) our own Jim Trick, webmaster extraordinaire, will take us behind the scenes of our newly revamped website, which has received high praise from the many people who use it for learning about the Battle or for more serious research. He will be joined by Lori Atkinson Smith who is an Administrator on our Facebook Group and who updates our Individual Report details on a regular basis.This will be a great opportunity to get answers to your website and newsletter questions as well.

Happy fall!

We will remember them.

Florence McGee, widow of John McGee, WG HK vet, passed on Jun 29, 2023

Pearl MacPherson, widow of Don MacPherson, WG. HK vet passed on June 2, 2023

There have been many changes and additions to our online presence over the past few months, along with new projects. Let’s get into them.

Fighting it Out: Canadian Troops at Hong Kong and in Memory by Brad St. Croix

We have converted this document to digital and it is now available online on its own website.

This thesis will be of great value to Canadian Hong Kong historians. Here is an extract from the abstract:

Gems from the Canadian War Museum

We are strengthening our connection to the Canadian War Museum as it possesses many artifacts relating to ‘C’ Force. We have already received a post-war account by WWII John Thomson, RRC. This is of special interest, as it was dictated to his wife late in 1945, so events were fresh in his mind, and unlike many of the diaries, he could be frank and honest. You can find the link to this document on our Personal Accounts page.

Dark Side of the Sun - digital

Many of you will be aware of Michael Palmer’s book focused on his grandfather (George Palmer). Michael and I are now starting work on converting Dark Side of the Sun to digital format so it can be read online by the public. 

In the meantime, feel free to get more information by visiting this item on our reading page.

More to follow!

“Roll Call” and “Tenko”

Group of Tenko and Roll Call magazines ready for conversion to digital

Thank you Jim Laidlaw! Jim, the son of Hong Kong Veteran, William (Bill) Laidlaw, Winnipeg Grenadiers, recently found a treasure-trove when going through his mother’s effects. As Jim says:

I’ve received the copies as you can see in the above photo, and over the next few months, will be converting them to a digital format so that all interested folks can view them. This is a long-term project.

After a severe rain and thunderstorm on Thursday August 10, 2023 in Ottawa, there was concern that the ceremony may have to be cancelled due to severe flooding in parts of Ottawa. Our Hong Kong Veterans looked down on us and said in their usual way “never give up” and the Hong Kong Veterans Memorial Service took place on Saturday August 12, 2023, as planned. Thank you, Hong Kong Veterans. 

Saturday was a beautiful, warm, sunny day (25C) for the Hong Kong Veterans Memorial Service which was held at the ‘C’ Force Memorial Wall in Ottawa. This was the 78th anniversary of the end of the war in the Far East.

Mona Fortier MP Vanier - Ottawa, Donald Macdonald Piper with the Sons of Scotland Pipe Band, Ian Englehart MC

The ceremony was well attended by approximately 55 people. Once again, the event was supported by the National Research Council (provided free parking) and the National Capital Commission (Memorial site upkeep). 

The master of ceremony was Ian Englehart, son of Royal Rifles Veteran Harold Englehart. Live music for The Last Post / The Silence / The Lament / The Rouse was provided by bugler Charles Armstrong of the RCMP Pipes and Drums band, as well as two pipers from the Sons of Scotland Pipe Band, Donald Macdonald, and Bob Derry.

Derrill Henderson provided the Prayers and Benediction. The Acts of Remembrance were given by Julie Carver.

Mme. Mona Fortier MP laid a wreath on behalf of the Government of Canada, and Mr. Dawolu Saul laid a wreath on behalf of Veterans Affairs.  It was an honour to have Master Sailor Justin Daoust lay a wreath on behalf of the Canadian Armed Forces. Gail Angel laid a wreath on behalf of the Hong Kong Veterans Commemorative Association. Mr. Gerry Wharton laid a wreath on behalf of the Army, Navy & Air Force Veterans in Canada. Mr. Stephane Ouellette laid a wreath on behalf of the Merchant Navy Commemorative Theme Project. Mr. Dante Fortia laid a wreath on behalf of the War Amps. Mrs. Gail Angel laid a wreath on behalf of Debbie and Kevin Jiang in honour of the last surviving, 106 year old Hong Kong Veteran, Mr. Hormidas Fredette. Ten family wreaths were laid. One of these wreaths, laid by Julie Carver, his grandniece, was on behalf of an Indigenous member of 'C' Force, Robert Blanchard, who was killed in Hong Kong.  Mitzi Ross laid a wreath in memory of Gander.

All of the 20 wreaths that were laid. (Photos by Gwen Englehart)

Following the Memorial service, 28 attendees went to the Lord Elgin Hotel, Grill 41 for a luncheon.

The ceremony was Livestreamed and recorded via Facebook by Laura Scaffidi and can be found at this link. 

(More images may be found in our Photo Gallery)

Joel Barter, along with the Bury Historical & Heritage Society and the Town of Bury, Quebec created banners for their town lamp posts remembering local volunteers of 'C' Force, Royal Rifles of Canada. Of the many from Bury and the Eastern Townships, 12 Banners were made to represent some of the men who volunteered from the area. There had been 32 volunteers in all from Bury.

An example of the Bury Banner

Although the Banners are already on display,  an official ceremony will be held in Bury on October 21st at 1pm; 

Bury Historical Society 569 Rue Main Bury, QC J0B 1J0

All are welcome to attend. The Banners will hang outside from May until November 11th,  Remembrance Day and from November to May the Banners will hang in the Bury Historical Town Hall.

The following is the list of names sponsored to appear on the Banners:

• Leo, Lawrence and Raymond Ross (photo)
• Ralph, Glen, James and Cpl.John Coleman
• Clifford Royea & James Royer
• Argyle and Edmund Harrison
• Howard Grey
• Earl Lasenba
• Allen Kelso
• Capt. E. L. Hurd
• Elwin Herring

All of the work done by HKVCA, whether it be projects, serving on the Board, newsletters, online activities such as Facebook or our websites, is all done by volunteers. Here is a thank you to some.

A huge shout out of THANK YOU to Judy Brown​ Giraldi, niece of Alfred Ernest ROWEN, RRC, for stepping up and helping find missing gravestones and information about our ‘C’ Force members. She even pulls in her friends to go to cemeteries to take pictures of missing gravestones.

Another huge thank you goes to Stephen, Elaine and Dan James, family of John Edward James, WG. They gave us our Facebook identities. They started us on our Facebook journey in 2007! And keep us moving today in our group: Hong Kong Veterans Tribute, with members recently counted at over 1600 (yes, sixteen hundred, that is not a typo).

To our newsletter proofreaders Kathie, Barbara and Anne - your eagle-eyes create a better reader experience.

And, of course to those who submit articles, whether it be once in a while, or for each issue. There would be no newsletter without you.

The Victory in Japan Day services this year in Winnipeg included the formal announcement of funding for the Indigenous Veterans Project!  We were so pleased to be able to share that the HKVCA is the recipient of very generous funding from the Métis Veterans Legacy Program which funding will allow us to identify,  honour and remember Indigenous veterans who fought for Canada in Hong Kong during the Second World War.

We know that many who enlisted with the two regiments were Indigenous. Many First Nations soldiers, upon returning after the war, had to become “enfranchised” meaning to give up their treaty rights in order to receive veterans benefits. In most instances this meant that they were unable to live in their home communities with their families thereby breaking down community and tearing away their identity. The families of many First Nations men who died during the war did not receive any type of survivor benefits. For the Métis soldiers, there was nowhere to declare their Métis identity upon signing up, or upon leaving the armed forces.  Métis identity wasn’t recognized. Moreover, it wasn’t respected. The 1930s and 1940s were still very dark times for the Métis. Identifying and honouring these Indigenous soldiers now allows their families to proudly claim their Indigenous identity,  and to share their stories about the role of Indigenous people in Canada’s military history. This is a very significant undertaking on the part of the HKVCA.

This funding will allow us to engage the services of professionals to research all 1,974 personnel of ‘C’ Force to ensure that none of the Indigenous members are overlooked. We are thrilled to say that we are already working with the St. Boniface Historical Society to research names and identify the Indigenous members of the Grenadiers. We have signed a contract with Sage Research and Consulting who will then work to write the stories of these men to be included in their Individual Profiles on our website. These indigenous soldiers will have recognition, where none was provided before. We will also eventually be bringing this information to the public through presentations, educational materials, social media, and the HKVCA website.   This work is providing space for Indigenous families to proudly stand up and say who they are in a place where there wasn’t that space before.

As a Métis citizen I would like to add that an integral part of the birth of the Métis nation was strong connections with family and kin.  Many of those ties in the Métis communities were lost during the dark times of our history. This project is not only honouring the soldiers,  is helping many individuals and families find their way back to their Métis kin, where they are warmly welcomed home.

September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. We ask that you remember the Indigenous members of C Force on that day, some of whom were residential school survivors. Please take the time to learn more about the history of residential schools, honour the victims, and celebrate the survivors.

Greetings everyone

We sincerely hope that the summer has given you time to enjoy your family and friends with nice weather.  

The Winnipeg Grenadier Cadets at Minto Armouries  in Winnipeg held their Annual Inspection.

Alex Taylor presenting the Hong Kong Veterans Association - Most Efficient Cadet trophy to Cadet/Sergeant Eunice Leonardo of The Winnipeg Grenadiers Cadet Corps at their Annual Inspection on June 12, 2023. 

On June 20, 2023 we dedicated the Dryden, ON plaque.  The event was set up by zoom as we were unable to get there.  Thank you to everyone who took part in arranging the event and attending in uniform even though the temperature was 38 C and there was no air conditioning in the building.

The HK flag flew at the Cenotaph in Winnipeg for the month of August. 

The HKVCA wreath was laid by 3 generations of Art Diehl’s (WG) family - daughter Darlene Diehl, granddaughter Nicole Schiedel and her daughter Lyanna with escort Wayne Stebbe, son of Larry Stebbe, WG.

We had a wonderful service for the 78th Anniversary of VJ Day at the Field of Honour at Brookside Cemetery and a reception at the Neil Bardal Centre with Dr. Jim Fergusson as the guest speaker. There were 90 people in attendance including Marty Marantz, MP for Charleswood - St James - Assiniboia - Headingly; Métis Federation, Cabinet Minister John Fleury; VAC - Sarah Russel; Métis Veterans Legacy Program, Commissioner Alex Maurice; Last Post Fund, President Matthew Halpin; Aboriginal Veterans, Shauna Mulligan; Provincial Command ANAVETS, Sheldon Clupp; ANAVETS #283, President Len Cook; CVMS, Terry McCharles; Portuguese Veterans, President Peter Correia;  Prince Edward Legion #81, Judy McMillan; Yvonne Still,  daughter of Joseph Oige, WG, HK veteran - all were wreath layers. 

Darlene Diehl, granddaughter Nicole Schiedel and her daughter Lyanna

As I had a personal commitment that prevented me from doing the whole service, Stephanie Mitchell presided over the service in the Field of Honour and did a marvellous job from all accounts. Pam Heinrichs spoke on the Métis Veterans Legacy funds and there will be a report elsewhere in the newsletter. 

Thank you to our Piper – George Morrison and Bugler – Ray Vance for their services.  Big thank you to Eirik Bardal (grandson of Njall Bardal WG HK veteran) for the use of his facility and Paddy Douglas for his assistance. Thank you to Padre  Rev. Canon Dr. Murray Still, grandson of Joseph Oige, WG, HK veteran for the devotions and to the Colour Party, Alex Taylor and Stan Lopata.  Many thanks to our members, family and friends for coming, remembering and thanking our ‘C’ Force members for their sacrifices.  

A beautiful brochure has been produced by Stephanie Mitchell, focusing on the various places in Winnipeg where commemorative information is located dedicated to the Winnipeg Grenadiers and ‘C’ Force.  These are available from Barry Mitchell.

Kathie Carlson made this report of what occurred from August 11th to August 18th, 2023, to recognize VJ Day in Lethbridge, AB.

HKVCA Flag at Lethbridge City Hall

A flag raising of the HKVCA Commemorative flag occurred at 11 a.m. on August 11,2023, at the City of Lethbridge Cenotaph. Joining our small group was Cynthia Melanson from Cardston, AB,  daughter of Veteran Joe Michalkow,  and her daughter Alecia Melanson from Rimbey, AB. A picture of HKVCA members holding the Hong Kong Veterans flag in front of the Banner display is included. The media were represented, so we did get a lengthy and informative article and picture in the Lethbridge Herald, and Bridge City News provided television coverage of our event. The flag was up for a week.

Alecia Melanson, Cynthia Melanson, Kathie Carlson

Lights at Lethbridge City Hall

Display at General Stewart Legion Branch #4, Lethbridge

On August 14th and 15th, the City Hall was lit up with red and green colours as seen in the photo.

On August 18th, we set up a display at our local General Stewart Legion Branch #4, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.  As Fridays are their busiest days, we had many people ask questions while looking at the display, and picking up our resource booklets, as over 90 people attended that day. It proved to be very successful in enhancing perceptions and knowledge of the Battle of Hong Kong.

Big thank you to Kathie, Cynthia and Alecia for the work you are doing in Alberta.  With the 80th Anniversary fast approaching we hope to be expanding on the event of VJ Day.  Let your executive know if you wish to be involved with any planning.  We have other projects to be worked on if you have any time to give, please let us know.

If you are in Winnipeg on the 2nd Thursday of the month we hold our monthly meetings at Smitty’s Restaurant at 580 Pembina Hwy. at 11:30 am.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all who are experiencing the ravages of nature - take care, be safe.  God bless all our members.

We Celebrate the Two ‘100’s’

Remember when it wasn't considered polite to ask a woman her age? Well, with the widows of Hong Kong Veterans, we've now found a second lady who celebrated her 100th birthday in June.

Barbara Hardy of Brockville, Ontario (Joseph Ralston Hardy, RRC) was honoured by members of her family on this special day despite being in Brockville General Hospital. In June, Barbara Hardy turned 100 and had family and friends to help enjoy the day. Unfortunately, Barbara had suffered a broken leg and so her birthday was marked by a return to the hospital for further treatment.

In an article in "The Recorder and Times", Mrs. Hardy is described as a longtime resident of Brockville, but she was born in the Gaspe region near New Carlisle, PQ. In wartime she joined the Canadian Women's Army Corps in 1942. She married her husband after his liberation from Hong Kong in 1945 and they went on to have a family of four children.

In our summer newsletter we mentioned Oda Barlow (Edwin Barlow, RCASC) happily celebrated her 100th birthday with family and friends in Picton Ontario. When contacted recently, Oda said she was fine and getting ready for a family wedding, more happy moments.

There may be more widows approaching the age of 100. But we won't know until we hear from their families. They deserve to be recognized too as survivors of the Hong Kong experience.

Irene Firlotte (Lawrence Firlotte RRC) is doing okay at 97 despite some speech difficulties resulting from her stroke, but she is being fitted for a new wheelchair so she can still get around happily.

Barry Fair (John Grey Fair RRC) discussed the situation of the exhibit at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa and mentioned some ideas for changes. Something to follow up on. 

Gloria Fortune (Herbert Fortune WG) is starting to feel better after a bout of shingles - her second bout. Her daughter Vicky and son Keith were interested in discussions about the Hong Kong story being told properly that ‘C’ Force didn't surrender, the British Governor did.

Mavis Martin (John Martin RRC) was happy to reconnect with some old friends at Saturday's gathering at the ‘C’ Force wall in Ottawa. She also brought Joanne Parkes to the gathering, a young woman she met after moving to her residence in Kemptville. Joanne's father also served in Hong Kong (Walter Parkes RRC) and Joanne was able to meet other HK members.

Susan Ewing (Kenneth Ewing RRC) was at the Memorial Wall celebration with two family members and enjoyed the ceremony and the lunch. Meeting her friend Mavis Martin was important as both now live in Kemptville.

Jean Killoran (John Killoran RRC) is doing okay and will celebrate her 96th birthday on September 4th.

Grace Thornton, Barbara Cunningham Drew, Jim Hurd, Donna Drimmie, Esther Jane Geraghty are all on my list to try to reach before our next newsletter.

Follow up to Ontario members- you received an email prior to Saturday August 12th ceremony at "The Wall". Mark and I spoke to attendees and discovered most had never seen the Hong Kong exhibit at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa. (even those that lived in Ottawa). Let's consider this the start of our hope to see the story of 'C' Force told well at this National Museum. We'll carry on and keep you updated. 

V-J Day in Markham

A V-J Day commemoration was held at the Markham, ON cenotaph on August 12. It was arranged by the Royal Hong Kong Regiment (The Volunteers) Ontario Association, the Hong Kong Ex-Servicemen’s Association, and the Markham District Veterans Association. Speakers included the local MPP, MP, Deputy Mayor and Mike Babin. A group of cadets from the Central Ontario Area Cadet Activity Program – York Site, attended.

Attendees at VJ Day in Markham

It was heartwarming to see so many attendees of Chinese heritage in attendance.

The event began in the rain, but by the end the sun was shining brightly! 

Royal Canadian Military Institute

L to R: Jon Reid, Eric Morse (RCMI), Mike Babin

The Royal Canadian Military Institute hosted a dinner and presentation on June 14 focused on the Battle of Hong Kong. Mike Babin provided the background to the conflict, and Jon Reid spoke very movingly about his father, Dr John Reid, one of ‘C’ Force’s medical officers.

Greetings everyone.  

Hope you all enjoyed a beautiful summer in the good company of family and friends.  Our prayers go out to all who were or are dealing with forest fires, heavy rain or floods.

As usual, summer is quieter, not much news to report.  Many family members and friends gathered to pay their respect to our veterans on VJ Day or joined their local Legion for a commemorative ceremony.  We Will Remember Them!

We are resuming our activities with our meetings and contacts with members by giving them all local and national news available.  A “Call for Membership Renewal “  to members will be going out soon as well as  “Birthday” and  “Season Greetings”.

Take care all and stay safe.

Membership Up to Date?

Take a moment to make sure that you’re a paid-up member of HKVCA. Not sure? Contact us via email or at the address below. Our membership form plus a list of membership reps is published on the last page of this newsletter for your convenience, or take the easy route and visit our online Membership page to pay by e-transfer.

Change of Plans

In our summer edition in our column titled Zip..Zip, we told you of a way of accessing additional information from the Individual Report of a 'C' Force member. We had to abandon this approach as the labour was proving to be too much. Instead, you can find the same information by accessing our Google Docs library.

Here is a copy of the instruction you'll find in the Additional Notes block of any 'C' Force Individual Report:

Related documentation for information published in this report may be available via shared resources on Google Docs by following this link. Use the first letter of the individual's service number to choose the correct folder, then scroll to the specific service number of your interest.

Thanks to the dedication of our researchers, additonal documentation has been found for most 'C' Force members.

You have two choices:

1. You can print a copy of this newsletter right from your browser (right-click and select "Print" in most browsers, or select from the menu). You may find that there are some layout issues, especially with photos.
2. You can print an exact copy of the PDF version that was mailed out.

Note: there may be items in the online copy of the newsletter that are not included in the PDF version.