Hong Kong Vets Remembered on VJ Day

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On a beautiful sunny day on August 13th, 2022, a small group gathered at the Defence of Hong Kong Memorial Wall at King Edward Drive and Sussex Drive to commemorate the 77th anniversary of the end of fighting in the Far East during World War II and also to remember the brave Canadians, who, undertrained, understrength, and sent to a spot in the world that Winston Churchill had deemed undefendable, fought for 17 days against overwhelming odds before surrendering to the Japanese Imperial Army. Of 1975 Canadians (known as “C” Force), 290 had been killed, some murdered by Japanese soldiers during or after the surrender. The rest would spend the remainder of the war, three years and 10 months, in captivity where another 260 would die from the cruelty and deprivation of the Japanese. They would toil as slave labourers and suffer cruel and tortuous punishments. This is the 81st anniversary of the Battle of Hong Kong and is the legacy of Canada’s first combat in World War II.

The ceremony was mc’d by Mr. Brian Tang, ex-RCAF, who was born in Hong Kong. His first introduction was of the MP for Ottawa Centre, Yasir Naqvi, who was speaking today and representing the Government of Canada. Mr. Naqvi reiterated the sacrifices of the Hong Kong veterans and then also remembered the Canadian contributions to the Burma and European campaigns (I’m sure the Italian campaign was in there someplace).

At the completion of his remarks, the Last Post, the minute of silence, The Lament, and the Rouse were played by representatives of the RCMP Pipes and Drums and Marion Lajoie. After this, the cutest, smallest, little girl walked up to the microphone to say the Act of Remembrance in both languages. I would bet she’s less than three feet tall but up she went and did the Act without fear, although she had to wait for someone to lower the microphone for her.

The prayer was given by Derrill Henderson who opened with acknowledging the three surviving members of “C” Force: Philip Dodderidge (100 years old), George MacDonell (100 years old), and Hormidas Fredette (either 105 or 107 years old – there is some controversy). These men were not able to travel to the ceremony but sent regrets and greetings to the ceremony.

Wreaths were then laid by the official party: Mr. Naqvi (Government of Canada), Mr. Robert Lӧken (Veterans Affairs), LCol Montgomery Price (Canadian Armed Forces), Ms. Mitzi Ross (Hong Kong Veterans Association), and Abigail Angel (Hong Kong Veterans Commemorative Association). LCol. Price had a special day as he arrived on crutches and with a foot cast. Notwithstanding, he ditched the crutches, slowly walked up and delivered his wreath, stood back and saluted, and did a crisp military right turn to march off the parade, albeit slowly. He also had family at Hong Kong as his grandfather John and uncle Charles both fought at the action and survived the almost four years as prisoners of war,

As with any conflict, the governments mourn the losses publicly but it’s the families who feel the grief privately and have small stories, inconsequential to anyone else, but important non-the-less in the collective consciousness of who these people were. Some of those stories follow.

Wreaths for family members were next on the program, led by Ms. Julie Carver whose great uncle, Robert Blanchard (Winnipeg Grenadiers), fought at Hong Kong and was killed on 23rd, December, 1941, aged 27 years. Robert Blanchard was Red River Métis and Anishinaabe (Sagkeeng First Nation) and his mother was unaware that he had been sent to Hong Kong until she received a letter sent while he was aboard ship and on his way. It wasn’t until a year after he was killed that the death was confirmed to her and the exact date of his death wasn’t confirm until four years later. He currently rests in Sai Wan War Cemetery in Hong Kong.

Mr. Stan Lasenba travelled all the way from Smiths Falls to honour his family member Earl Lasenba (Royal Rifles of Canada – middle wall). Mr. Lasenba is active in the Smiths Falls Legion. Also in attendance was Ms. Mavis Martin, widow of husband John who was captured at Hong Kong and survived the war as a POW. She was accompanied by her granddaughter, Haley. Mavis is the oldest widow in the region still able to attend the ceremony which she does every year.

What seemed to be a passerby turned out to be an Ottawa policeman who I thought might be doing some traffic/crowd control (not needed). As it turns out, this officer had a family member killed at Hong Kong (also on 23rd December) and always makes a point to stop by this ceremony every year.

Special mention should also be made of “C” Force Members who had wreaths layed on their behalf by family members: Leonard Corrigan and the Veterans in the Port Hope/Cobourg area, Frank and Ralph McGuire, Edwin Rodrigues, Lancelot Ross, John Martin, Stewart Henderson, Harold and Rupert Englehart, Edward Terry, Earl Lasenba, and Gander – a Newfoundland dog and the Force mascot who was killed in action and decorated.

This completed the ceremony and guests were invited to a luncheon at the Lord Elgin to share stories.