WASURERU-NAI

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal

As many of you have heard, the Queen’s 60th Anniversary occurred on February 6th 2012. To mark this auspicious occasion a new medal was struck. This Diamond Jubilee Medal is a tangible way for Canada to honour Her Majesty for her service to this country. At the same time, it serves to honour significant contributions and achievements by Canadians.

During the yearlong celebration 60,000 Canadians will receive this medal. We are very pleased and proud to say that there will be celebrations in all the Regions of the HKVCA where our veterans and members will be honoured.

Our HK Veterans, members of C Force, fought in the defence of Hong Kong in World War II against overwhelming odds, endured torture, starvation, disease, and slave labour to ensure that Canada remained free. Their return home was to continue to fight for support and benefits from their beloved country because of the lasting effects of the horrific treatment they received from the enemy.

As children and family members and friends of C Force we are extremely proud of the courage and sacrifices the men and women made on our behalf.

Here is a list of the surviving Hong Kong Veterans on February 6th, 2012 who we will honour with this prestigious medal:

Alfred J. Babin, Robert B. Barter, Eric Batley, William Bell, Graham Boudreau, Bruce Cadoret, Edward Campbelton, Les Canivet, Robert (Flash) Clayton, Fred Cooper, George Coutts*, Charles Dallain, Paul J. Dallain, John Dearden, Tom Dewar, Philip Doddridge, L.T.S. Doull, John Dugay, Hormidas Fredette, Horace (Gerry) Gerrard, Harry Hawryshok, Richard Johnson, Reginald Kerr, William C. Krohn, Paul J. Laflamme, Eugene Lapointe, John Lowe, Allison MacDonald, Ralph MacLean, William MacWhirter, Eric J. Maloney, John McGee*, Bill Muir, Jim Murray*, Cornelius Nickel, George Nobiss, Wallace G. Normand, Lloyd O'Leary, George Peterson, Arthur(Ken) Pifher, Allison Pollock, Douglas Rees, Lawrence Ross, John Roussel, Arthur Schwartz, Gerald J. [Sunny] Sunstrum, Dempsey Syvret, Bernard M Thompson, Daniel Thompson.
(* marks the veterans who passed after the date but whose family will receive the medal)

The members and friends of HKVCA took on the task in 1995 to “to educate all Canadians on the role of Canada's soldiers in the Battle of Hong Kong and on the effects of the internment of the battle’s survivors on both the soldiers and their families. We also assist in the support and welfare of Hong Kong veterans and their widows.”
This was done by forming the Hong Kong Veterans Commemorative Association and creating regions to personally service the veterans and widows. These special people continue to work to ensure the Battle of Hong Kong is made known to Canadians as an integral part of our history with its sacrifices for freedom.

Here is the list of the HKVCA members who will receive this prestigious medal:
Derrill Henderson, James Trick, Barry Mitchell, Juliet Lafortune, Lucette Mailloux-Muir, Debra Batley Everett, Alan Marshall, Marcel Mondou, Murray E. Doull, Linda Quesnel, Lee E. Naylor, CD; Graeme A. Stacey, Carol-Lynn Hadley, Norma Fuchs, Patricia Turcotte, Rachel Dell, Ronald McGuire, Vincent Lopata, Stanley Lopata, James Martin, Lori Atkinson-Smith, Neil Darrah, Flora Fung, Nancy Hamer Strahl, Nick Brune, Verna Pearson, Helen Wedge.

George Macdonell and Mike Babin were nominated by Senator Vivian Poy.