Beyond the Call

Chapter 9
Coming Home

The plans for repatriating Far East Prisoners of War identified two primary embarkation points, Manila and Guam. The majority of Canadian LPWs, or “Released Allied Military Personnel” (RAMPs) as they were sometimes being called, would go by aircraft or ship to San Francisco (specifically to Fort McDowell on Angel Island), and then by train and/or ship to Victoria or Vancouver. A smaller number would go from Manila to San Francisco or directly to Victoria. Over the next two months – September and October, 1945 – over 1400 Canadians, including twenty-four members of the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals, would be brought back to anxiously waiting family and friends in Canada.

Tuesday, September 4

The Vancouver Daily Province reported that the “First Vancouver member of Hong Kong force to be freed is Signalman George Grant.” His wife Agnes had received a telegram with the joyful news.^[1206]

Wednesday, September 5

The Canadian military received a message from the U.S. Navy regarding arrangements for the use of ships to evacuate liberated POWs. Also included was information on evacuation centres and processing.^[1207]  This was one of many communications in early September between National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa and other military officials around the world regarding the repatriation of Canadian POWs. Everything from transport to medical issues, clothing, mail and rations were being dealt with.^[1208]

Thursday, September 6

Most of the POWs who had been liberated from Niigata were transported in the afternoon to the U.S. naval vessel Ozark. On the list were five members of the Signal Corps: Rolly D’Amours, Ernie Dayton, Walt Jenkins, Mel Keyworth and Howie Naylor.^[1209]

We filled out another questionnaire as soon as we boarded her, then given a ticket which showed us to our berths. We sleep on hanging shelves one above the other four high. At three o’clock we had ice cream served to us, it seemed as though nothing ever tasted so good. When supper came round it seemed to good to be true. We had meat, potatoes, salad, spinach, bread, pie, jam, an orange and hot cocoa, saw a talkie movie on the upper deck, went to bed and slept like the dead on clean white sheets and white fluffy pillows.^[1210] 

Questionnaires or “Interrogation Forms” would be part of the repatriation process for almost all liberated POWs. The Canadian Repatriation Liaison Group issued the “proformas” to be used, covering topics such as personal particulars, pay matters, casualty information and war crimes. Although some of the details and formats were altered, these proformas were the basis for debriefing sessions held on board ships and in repat centres and hospitals in Manila and Guam over the weeks to come.^[1211]

Friday, September 7

On board the Ozark, still anchored in Tokyo Bay, the men were treated to a breakfast of bread, butter, bacon, fluffy hotcakes, coffee and oranges. There was ice cream and fruit in the afternoon and part of the evening movie program included a sports review of items from Eastern Canada.^[1212]  Back in Canada, newspapers were now regularly reporting on the liberation of local soldiers. The Regina Leader-Post referred to a list of prisoners from Sham Shui Po Camp, noting that Sgt. R.J. Routledge was in hospital.^[1213]  The Daily Colonist in Victoria reported that former prisoners in Hong Kong were visiting aboard the HMCS Prince Robert daily, enjoying cigarettes, chocolate and meals of soup, halibut, steak, bread, cheese and cherry pie.^[1214]

Saturday, September 8

Newspapers in Canada continued to publish lists of freed prisoners: Capt. Billings in the Kingston Whig Standard and Tony Grimston, Ron Routledge and Ray Squires in the Vancouver papers,^[1215] although in the latter case, the men were erroneously reported to be in Manila. In fact, it wasn’t until the next day that they departed from Hong Kong. Canadian Press correspondent William Stewart was one of the Canadian journalists granted permission to travel to the Far East to report on the repatriation process.

When I flew to Manila from Hong Kong Thursday night, [Sept. 6] the Canadians were not certain just when the Empress [of Australia] would set out, bringing them and British prisoners and civilian internees here. The navy wanted the troopship, which had landed 3000 R.A.F. personnel there, to be spick and span and insisted on cleaning the vessel as a health precaution. They expected the Empress would leave Saturday or Sunday and would dock at Manila by Wednesday [Sept. 12] at the latest….

Since their liberation there has been enough excitement and visitors to keep the prisoners fairly well distracted from worries about how soon they will get home and when they will get mail and when they will be able to cable their relatives.^[1216]

Communication issues had been a priority for everyone, and in fact, cable messages for LPWs were already being received by military officials in Manila, including one for Ron Routledge.^[1217]  In a letter to the Next of Kin of Canadian Liberated POWs in the Far East, the Director of Repatriation, Col. Ellis, wrote:

Since our last letter arrangements have been made for further special air mail service to our liberated prisoners of war in the Far East. Enclosed with this letter are six air letter forms endorsed as mail for Liberated Prisoners of War (Mail for LPW).

This is your supply for the time being to enable letters to be sent to the prisoner in whom you are interested from yourself and from other close relatives and friends of the prisoner. It is entirely at your discretion if you wish to allot some of these forms to others instead of using them yourself.

As the air mail facilities are heavily loaded and the number of letters that may be sent is strictly limited you are requested to see that these letters are spread over the next four weeks. No restriction is placed on the length of the letter. No enclosures are permitted.

Only the enclosed forms bearing the stamp “Mail for LPW” will be accepted. These may be mailed free of postage if mailed in Canada. If mailed elsewhere than in Canada, the air mail postage required by the country concerned should first be placed on the envelope in order to bring it to Canada.

These letters will be flown to Manila and handed to the prisoner at the earliest possible moment. The name and address of the sender is to be shown on the back of the air letter form above the notation “No enclosures permitted”. The letter should be addressed showing the prisoner’s
Regimental number (if applicable) Rank, Full Name,
Unit,
Canadian LPW
7th Base Post Office
c/o Canadian Postal Headquarters, Ottawa, Ontario.

The letter should be sealed prior to mailing.^[1218]

Canadian military efforts were now being felt in Japan as well. On the Ozark, two Canadian officers came aboard in the morning and were bombarded with questions from their liberated countrymen. After they went ashore, the ship got underway for Guam, a trip that would take just under four days.^[1219]

Sunday, September 9

An Army Message sent from Manila to National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa provided a list of POWs now “safe in Allied hands.” Included were the names Billings, Dowling, Grimston, Normand and Squires.^[1220]  This same day, the Daily Colonist in Victoria reported that the families of Tony Grimston and Ray Squires had received this information as well.^[1221]  In Yokohama, the train from the Sendai area had arrived and Don Beaton, Don Penny and Jack Rose were going through the various medical exams and questionnaires, anxious to move on to the next step in their voyage home.

Monday, September 10

Will Allister and George Grant arrived in Manila aboard a British warship with other men from Sumidagawa. Medical examinations showed that Will had chronic malaria and George was suffering from cellulitis in his right foot. He was immediately admitted to 248 General Hospital where, much to his dismay, he would spend almost three weeks. At least he was able to send a telegram home.^[1222]  Back in Canada, not only were messages being received from the LPWs, newspapers were now including reports about the conditions endured by the men during their years of imprisonment. One story that received widespread attention was that of Ron Routledge, who had apparently done a lengthy and detailed interview with a Canadian Press correspondent.^[1223]

Tuesday, September 11

Aboard the Empress of Australia, the liberated Sham Shui Po prisoners, including George Billings, Larry Dowling, Tony Grimston, Wally Normand and Ray Squires, were finally on their way to Manila. Ron Routledge had left about a week earlier on a hospital ship bound for the same port. A letter sent this day to National Defence in Ottawa from the U.S. Assistant Military Attaché noted that Canadian Recovery teams were located there, as well as four teams in Japan, two in Hong Kong and two en route to Guam, where about half of the Canadian men recovered so far had been sent.^[1224]

Two of the Signals, happily on their way to Guam by military aircraft, were Don Beaton and Don Penny. In his notebook, the latter recorded:

Left Yokohama Sept 11th
Arr. Guam Sept 11th: 8 ¾ hrs.^[1225]

In a letter home written upon his arrival in Guam, Don Beaton brought his family up to date.

Dear Mother, Dad and Kids,

This will just be a short note giving you a few bits of news. Right now I’m on top of the world. The Yank Navy have taken over any Cdn. Army Prisoners in Japan.

We left our Camp on the 9th and arrived in Yokohama that night. The next day and night we spent on the Battleship “IOWA.” You would think we were kings the way they treated us. Then they asked for volunteers to fly home so I grabbed the chance – result I’m here in Guam for a day or so. It was a great thrill flying here about 2000 miles in a few hours. Our next stop is Honolulu then Frisco.

I’m very anxious for some news. I only had one letter since I left home. That was written by Mary around Xmas 42 and I got it on my birthday in 44.

I still have a couple of snaps of the family and I’m trying hard to visualize what 4 years difference makes. Is Mary married. Did Allan get hooked for the army. How is Baldy doing. Millions of questions I could ask but in a few days I’ll know all.

It did my heart good to see the mess the Yanks made out of Tokyo & Yokohama. It sure was different from a few years ago.

For the last 15 months I have been working in a coal mine – I’m a qualified coal miner but God knows I don’t want to ever see one again although the ones at home would be a picnic compared to the Jap ones.

To-morrow we are going sight seeing around Guam. To-night I’ve been drinking myself stupid with Coco Colas. The first chance in a long time. The American Red Cross have everything here for us.

Well I’ll close for now so love to all and be seeing you soon.
Don
P.S.
These atrocity stories about the Japs are all on the level. Don’t let anyone ever try to tell you different.^[1226]

Official Army Messages were also cabled to Canada this day, listing more recovered Canadian soldiers. The five Signals from Niigata (D’Amours, Dayton, Jenkins, Keyworth and Naylor) were included as was Lee Speller. All were said to be in good condition.^[1227]  A telegram was also received by Speller’s mother, letting her know he was safe.^[1228]

Wednesday, September 12

Messages continued to arrive back in Canada informing next of kin that their family members were free. George Billings’ wife, now back in Kingston, was among the happy recipients.^[1229] 

Miles away across the Pacific, the Ozark arrived in Guam, her first stop on the trip to the continental U.S. More Canadians, including the liberated Niigata POWs, now joined those already experiencing American military hospitality and the now familiar medical examinations.^[1230]  Don Beaton wrote in another letter home,

So far as we know we will be leaving to-morrow or the next day. I don’t mind much how long we stay here as I’m really enjoying myself but I’ll be seeing you all within a week or so.

To-day we took a trip around the island. There must be several hundred thousand Navy and Army here and just as many trucks and tanks already to take after Mr. Jap. It’s too bad they can’t still be used on them. There is nearly every type of plane around here and a pilot of one of the B-24s wants some of us to go on a flight with him to-morrow.

To-night I’m off to see my first show. We have our choice of 3 but I only know the actors in one of them. I guess it will take a while to get caught up on them.

On this island none of the troops pay for Cigars – Cigs. Chocolate, Coco Colas or many other things such as Oranges-Bananas etc. You just walk into the Red Cross Canteens and help yourself and that goes for us too. This morning I drank so many Colas and Do-nuts that I had to skip lunch and that’s something for the past few years that I swore I would never do – miss a meal. It doesn’t take long to get back into the run of things.

Well I guess I’ll shove off for supper now so I’ll sign off for now.^[1231]

Don Penny sent a short telegram message to his father in Vancouver: “Flying home. Love Don.”^[1232]  A letter would soon follow.

In addition to personal communications, official documents were also being sent back to Canada. A package was dispatched from the Canadian Repatriation Liaison Group in Manila containing completed LPW Interrogation forms, including one filled out by Will Allister.^[1233]

Thursday, September 13

The Empress of Australia arrived in Manila with the Canadians who were at Sham Shui Po. Once off the ship, the men were officially assigned to the “Fifth Replacement Depot.”^[1234]  Ray Squires remembered that when they arrived they were given $100-200 in American twenty dollar bills as spending money.^[1235]

Official lists of recovered POWs issued by National Defence Headquarters were reported in the press and included the names of Signals Tony Grimston, Mel Keyworth and Howie Naylor.^[1236]  In Guam, Ernie Dayton, who had arrived the day before on the Ozark, wrote a letter home from the naval hospital where he was staying. He had gained twenty-five pounds during the past week and said, “It is like a dream and I’m afraid I’ll wake up.”^[1237]  Lee Speller’s telegraphed message arrived in Ottawa and was being forwarded to his mother in Victoria. “Thank God Safe and Well. Will be home soon.”^[1238]  This two step communication process was supposedly about to end. In his second letter in less than a week to next of kin of LPWs, Col. Ellis noted that arrangements had been made with various cable and telegraph companies for free transmission of messages,

delivered direct to the addressee without reference to National Defence Headquarters. In some instances these messages may arrive before the official notification of liberation from the Director of Records.^[1239] 

This acknowledged the reality already playing out in Japan, Manila and Guam, where the movement of LPWs often happened so quickly that the records and resultant communications couldn’t keep up. In fact, many messages from the men continued to go to Ottawa before being sent to family members across Canada.

Friday, September 14

Official lists of freed POWs issued by National Defence included the names Billings, Dayton, Jenkins and Naylor.^[1240]  An Army Message was received in Ottawa listing LPWs, “now safe in the Yokohama area.” Jack Rose, “in fair condition” was on the list. In Manila, Tony Grimston was admitted to 313 U.S. General Hospital suffering from beri beri.^[1241]

Don Penny and Don Beaton wrote letters home from Guam, both noting that they had no idea when they would be leaving. For Penny, it was the first time he had written since being liberated.

We flew here from Yokohama and have been here four days now. We are going through a series of medical examinations.

I don’t know whether or not we are going to fly the rest of the way or not but I’m sure it won’t be very long before I will be seeing you all once again and certainly hope you are all in the very best of health.

I am O.K. now, was a bit run down and very thin but am practically back to normal again. The U.S. Navy is looking after the Canadians (whats left of them) and they are certainly treating us very good.

We came down from our camp by train to Yokohama and by the looks of the landscape the Yanks certainly made up for Pearl Harbor and a few other atrocities committed by these dirty little ____. When we arrived at Yokohama we got cleaned up and got new clothes then we were billeted on different American warships around the harbour. That is all of us except the ones who couldn’t get about under their own steam, these men went on board a large hospital ship.

On the 11th Sept we boarded a C54 American Naval transport plane and flew here to Guam – it took us 8 hrs (4 days by boat). We went on a bus trip the other day around the island. It was very interesting. The rainy season is on now and it sure is wet.

Well I’m pretty well behind in all the news and I guess you’ll think I’m pretty stale and so I am. You can tell by this writing that I haven’t been doing much but I guess I’ll get back to normal soon.

Hope Doug is home when I arrive. Received some of the letters you have written me. I know that Jeanne is married and Harry is engaged. I hope the reason of Jeanne’s marriage being postponed is not what I am thinking of because I expect you all to be there when I get home….^[1242]

Don’s reference to potential bad news from home reflects the anxiety of many ex-Hong Kong POWs because of such limited communication from their families. As with many other men coming back to Canada, the joy of return was muted by the news of a death in the family. In Don’s case, his foreboding was accurate – his mother had died while he was in Japan.

Saturday, September 15

Official Army Messages sent to Ottawa provided lists of men now reported safe in Manila. Among the names were Larry Dowling, Wally Normand and Ray Squires.^[1243]  Such official messages were the necessary communication before National Defence could send out notification to next of kin, as was the case on this day when an “Official Canadian Army Overseas Casualty Notification” was sent to Mrs. Martha Douglas in Vancouver, with the message that her son John was now “safe in Allied hands.”^[1244]  In contrast to some instances, this time the report of freed POWs reached Ottawa very quickly, in fact on the same day as they were liberated. Johnny Douglas and his fellow Ohasi prisoners including Bob Acton, Gerry Gerrard, Jim Mitchell, Art Robinson and Blacky Verreault had finally been freed. By the end of the day they were on their way by ship to Tokyo Bay.^[1245]

Sunday, September 16

Most of the Ohasi LPWs were transferred to the USS Hyde, but because of a typhoon their departure for Guam was delayed.^[1246]  For some of those already in Guam, their departure for San Francisco was imminent. The Ozark was preparing to leave, and the Niigata LPWs as well as some other repatriates were on board, “the boat packed to capacity.”^[1247]  For others like Don Penny, the wait for departure continued. He wrote from Naval Fleet Hospital #103, Guam:

Still don’t know when I’m leaving here, it may be today and maybe not for a week. It’s not bad here though as we are being well looked after, getting all we want to eat which in ex POW’s estimation is the main thing. There is a picture show every night and these traveling stage shows, I saw Charles Ruggles here in person the other night and he had a very good show with him.

I am very anxious to get home and see you all, I suppose you all have changed quite a bit. When I left home in Aug. ’39 Greta was still a kid going to school and by the looks of the picture I have of her taken, I think in 1943, she is quite a young lady now. Then there’s Harry, and by the looks of the picture he sent me of himself, he changed an awful lot. I don’t think I’ve changed much. If you had of seen me a year ago you probably wouldn’t have known me.

This is a terrible pen I have here. I bought a pen & pencil set for $1.60 at the canteen and that is all its worth. The Red Cross here gave us $5.00 but we don’t need it as they give us everything we want anyway.

Today a big armada of B29s went over. There must have been 500 of them. They sure looked swell. Lucky for us the Japs decided to quit as the air raids over Japan were becoming more terrific very day.

Terribly hot climate this. I’ve had 5 cold showers already today. In one of Harry’s letters, it was written in the latter part of ’44, he tells me he is engaged. Certainly surprised me. I suppose he is married by now. When I get back I’m not having a thing to do with women, they are too much trouble. I hear these guys around here moaning about their girlfriends and wives and wondering if they are still true to them. No not for me. I’ll play the field until I’m about 40 and then perhaps I’ll settle down.

Well I guess that will be all for now. Am not much of a letter writer as you will remember in the early stages of the war when I was in Prince Rupert. Give my regards to any of my old friends you may see and I hope I’ll be seeing you very soon.^[1248]

On the same day, in addition to Don’s letter, there was another more official communication regarding his status sent to Canada. In an Army Message from Manila to Ottawa, his name and the notation, “condition fair” was on a list of POWs now “safe in Allied hands.”^[1249]

Monday, September 17

About six p.m. the telephone rang at the Penny home on Granville Street in Vancouver. It was a Canadian Pacific Telegraph operator who relayed the following message from the Director of Records, Department of National Defence in Ottawa:

Pleased to inform you that K34027 Corporal Donald Alfred Penny previously reported prisoner of war in Japanese hands is now officially reported safe with the Allies Ninth September 1945. Further information follows when received.^[1250]

It’s easy to imagine the relief and happiness that this message brought to a hopeful but concerned father.

A message sent from Manila to Ottawa listing Canadian Military Personnel recovered from the Yokohama area on 9th September included Don Beaton’s name.^[1251]  Another communication out of Manila was a series of Fifth Replacement Depot orders. Larry Dowling was on a list of men to be sent to the U.S. “by first available water transport.”^[1252]  Like the men on the Ozark, now on its way to San Francisco from Guam, the LPWs in Manila were now beginning to embark on the next stage of their trip back to Canada.

Tuesday, September 18

The USS Admiral Hugh Rodman departed from Manila with 104 Canadians on board, including Larry Dowling.^[1253]  Also on their way to San Francisco, although by aircraft, were Don Beaton and Don Penny.^[1254]  In Tokyo Bay, the Hyde, described as a “floating hotel with comfortable quarters, a large hospital, and all the amenities required for a very large landing force,”^[1255] left for Guam along with fifteen other ships.^[1256]  Aboard were Bob Acton, Johnny Douglas, Gerry Gerrard, Jim Mitchell, Art Robinson and Blacky Verreault.

Messages about returning POWs continued to arrive in Canada. Don Beaton’s family received their telegram from the Director of Records, reporting he was safe.^[1257]  In Ottawa, a message from Manila gave another list of recovered POWs, including Ted Kurluk, said to be in fair condition but suffering from malnutrition.^[1258]  Jack Rose and Ray Squires were on lists of B.C. men on their way home, published in the Vancouver papers.^[1259] 

Preparations for the arrival of the men in Canada continued as well. Arrangements for taking Sgmn. J.T. Douglas “on strength” and granting him leave upon his arrival were noted in a letter to Pacific Command from the Director of Records in Ottawa.^[1260]  An officer in Winnipeg, perhaps anticipating controversy, wrote to his superiors asking if there was any regulation prohibiting repatriated POWs from making public statements about their experiences.^[1261]  The question seemed moot, given the number of published reports now receiving wide circulation in Canadian newspapers.

Wednesday, September 19

Two Signals were in the news in their hometown papers. George Grant’s story of imprisonment received extensive coverage in Abbotsford,^[1262] and the Chilliwack paper reported on page one that Ernie Dayton’s parents had received word from Ottawa that their son was safe and in good health.^[1263]

Thursday, September 20

Lists of liberated POWs in the Vancouver press included the names Beaton, D’Amours, Grimston, Keyworth and Speller.^[1264]  National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa received confirmation of cable messages from liberated POWs in the Far East including those from Johnny Douglas and Art Robinson to two happy Vancouver mothers.^[1265]

In Manila, Tony Grimston was one of thirteen men discharged from 313 U.S. General Hospital.^[1266]  He would soon be on his way home. For Capt. Billings, his wait for transportation from Manila was over. He was aboard the USS Gosper when it departed for San Francisco with approximately fifty other Canadians.^[1267]  The first two members of the Signal Corps to arrive in that city were Don Beaton and Don Penny. In one of his notebooks, the latter recorded their trip by air from Guam:

Left Guam Sept 18 11 AM
Arr. Kwajalein 8 PM
Left Kwajalein 11 PM
Arr. Hawaii 2:30 PM
International Date line

Plane tossed about quite a bit on the way to Kwajalein [Marshall Islands]– heavy rain and thunderstorm.

Left Hawaii Sept 194:30 PM
Arr. Frisco Sept 207:30 AM^[1268]

Upon their arrival, both men sent telegrams home.

Mrs. J.F. Beaton
Flew in today. Further plans indefinite. Home soon I hope. Love Don.^[1269]

A.J. Penny
Arrived USA. Home soon. Reply
Sgt. D.A. Penny, Canadian Army Barracks 258
Fort McDowell
Angel Island Calif.

That evening a response came from his father:

Dear Don. Please [sic] to hear from you and know you are in good hands again. Lets [sic] know when to meet you here. Doug well expects to be home in about two weeks.

Greta and Dad.^[1270]

Hearing that his brother (who had been with the Canadian forces in Europe) was well, undoubtedly set his mind at ease. But the fact the telegram was signed by only his sister and father would have just added to his fears about his mother’s passing.

Friday, September 21

In San Francisco, the newly arrived LPWs, including Beaton and Penny, were each given ten dollars by the Red Cross as spending money while they waited for the train to take them to Vancouver.^[1271]  Aboard the Hyde, on its way to Guam, food was one of the main attractions.

A day’s menu is worth recording. In all items, the amount is unlimited! Breakfast: Oatmeal with sugar and milk, hot rolls, fried eggs, bacon, bread & butter, jam, coffee. Dinner: soup, beefsteak, gravy potatoes, beans, peas, ice cream, b & b, coffee, cake. Supper: Soup, liver & onions, beans, macaroni & cheese, cake, jam, b & b, tea. Beautifully cooked.^[1272]

No wonder the men were gaining back lost weight! Jim Mitchell recalled just how different the situation was and how it took some getting used to.

[One of the officers on the ship] said would you mind too much if we asked you to get your men to serve plates for the meals? And I said I can’t see anything wrong with that at all. But I’ll get them and you can tell them what to do. He says I sure will….That went fine for that day, and the next day the word is going around about those goddam Canadians, so I asked one of the guys and he said we’ve never seen such idiots in our lives – just like that. So I went up to see the Quartermaster or somebody like that and I said there’s something going on about the Canadians…what is it? He says I wish you’d do one thing – tell them all to serve the food and wait until the man who’s getting the food says finished, or that’s fine, or that’s good. I said what the hell happened, and he says your men were doling out little pieces of meat as if you were trying to starve them.…^[1273]

Saturday, September 22

As part of preparations in Canada for the LPWs, pamphlets were ordered, to be distributed upon the soldiers’ return. Titles included: Looking Ahead, Back to Civilian Life, Civie Street Re-establishment, Canada at War, and Canada in the Last Six Years.^[1274]  The order may have been too late for one of the first groups returning home. The Vancouver Sun reported that sixty Far East repats, including two Vancouver men, Don Beaton and Don Penny, were due to arrive Monday by Great Northern Railway.^[1275]  In another local paper, Art Robinson’s name appeared for the first time on a list of men now safe in Allied hands.^[1276]

In Manila, an order out of the Fifth Replacement Depot listed forty-four Canadians, including Sgmn. Will Allister, to be sent to San Francisco, “by first available Govt Water T[ransport].”^[1277]

Sunday, September 23

Another Fifth Replacement Depot order identified more Canadians ready to leave by first available water transport. This time the list had 161 names, including Grimston, Normand and Squires.^[1278]

The Hyde arrived in Guam and the Canadians were transferred to U.S. Fleet Hospital #103, “for reprocessing and subsistence.”^[1279]  Although most of the men would wait for transport by ship, there were almost daily flights to Hawaii and San Francisco with Canadians on board. The group who had arrived in the U.S. a few days before were now on board a train. By around seven o’clock in the evening they were in Portland, Oregon for a scheduled stop on their way to Vancouver. Don Beaton took the opportunity to send a telegram home: “Arriving Great Northern Monday about two AM.”^[1280]

Monday, September 24

A lengthy article in the Vancouver Sun was filed by a reporter who had gone to Portland to meet the group of about sixty returning Canadians. At the George White Serviceman’s Center, in a smoke-filled room with U.S. Marines, soldiers and sailors, the reporter sat down with Don Beaton, Don Penny and a couple of other Canadians to hear their stories. He was struck by their humility, their responses to new found freedom and thoughts about the future.

They have become such men under enemy actions which have drawn on all their courage that they are not afraid to bow the knee to the simple things of life. They crave their mothers and wives.^[1281]

Before re-boarding the train, Don Beaton got a happy surprise. His mother was there in Portland: “…the Red Cross sent her down….I met her down there and we came home together.”^[1282]  A short while later, during a stop in Bellingham, Washington, Don Penny’s father would also come aboard for the last leg of the trip home.

In Manila, the USS Admiral Hughes departed with about 100 Canadians. On board were Tony Grimston, Wally Normand, and Ray Squires.^[1283]  Other messages sent out from Manila to Ottawa included two updating the medical status of LPWs. Ron Routledge had been discharged from 248 General Hospital, Gerry Gerrard was said to be in good condition, while Art Robinson and Jim Mitchell were described as “condition fair,” and “malnutrition.” Messages from LPWs received at National Defence Headquarters to be forwarded to family members in Victoria, Falconbridge, Ontario, and Montreal included telegrams from Bob Acton, Jim Mitchell and Blacky Verreault.^[1284]

Tuesday, September 25

The Vancouver Sun ran photographs of soldiers upon their return today. One was of Don Penny flanked by his sisters, all with big smiles.^[1285]  In Ottawa, by coincidence, this was the same day that the Minister of Veterans Affairs wrote to next of kin of liberated POWs, including letters to Don Beaton’s mother and Don Penny’s father:

I was glad to note from the official casualty list that your son, [ ], a prisoner of war, has been liberated. This is good news indeed.^[1286]

Another coincidence regarding a letter happened this day as well. Don Penny’s letter home from Hong Kong, written early in December, 1941, did not make it out of the colony before the Japanese attacked. It did, however, survive. Stamped, “Detained in Hong Kong by Japanese From December 1941 to September 1945,” the envelope also bears a postmark showing when it finally arrived in Vancouver – September 25, 1945.

Also in Vancouver, the family of Don’s fellow Prince Rupert Signalman, Johnny Douglas, received a telegram from Ottawa officially reporting that he was safe. By this time he was already in Guam, having arrived on the Hyde, and had just undergone a major physical examination. The result: he was pronounced “fit for leave and travel.”^[1287]

For the men aboard the Ozark, including Rolly D’Amours, Ernie Dayton, Walt Jenkins, Mel Keyworth, Ted Kurluk, Howie Naylor, Jack Rose, and Lee Speller, another phase of their trip home was accomplished as they docked at Pearl Harbor. A band played “Hail, Hail, the Gang’s All Here,” and there were hula dancers and leis.^[1288]  It had been almost four years ago when they arrived here aboard the Awatea on their way to Hong Kong. It must have looked even better this time around.

In Manila, the veteran troop ship USS Joseph T. Dickman departed for San Francisco with 1500 repats, forty-four of them Canadians, including Will Allister who would celebrate his twenty-sixth birthday at sea.^[1289]

I stood at the ship’s rail as I had four years ago and tried to picture that eager, adventurous youth, brimming with optimism and high spirits, always bubbling on the edge of laughter and unblemished joy. Life was a good book, full of escapades, with a happy ending guaranteed. Now I was gazing back across the years like an old man reviewing a long life of trials and tragedy. It was an entire lifetime. Enough there for a dozen lifetimes. But that was looking backward, dammit, and I was being offered a fresh start, a new life, to make of it whatever I chose. Yes, I felt as excited, as tense, as I had been then, but missing was the confidence, the certainty, the faith. Nothing could ever be accepted at face value again.^[1290]

Wednesday, September 26

In Victoria, the Daily Colonist reported that Walt Jenkins was now “safe in Allied hands.”^[1291]  Not only was he safe, he was well on his way back to Canada. The Ozark, flying a huge streamer proclaiming, “Homeward Bound,” left Pearl Harbor on the last leg of the trip to San Francisco.^[1292]  The local newspaper in Red Deer, Alberta, carried a photo of Sgmn. Gerry Gerrard. The accompanying article noted that he and another “Red Deer boy” had been freed from Japanese prison camps, “according to word received by relatives last week.” Gerry was said to be safe and “would be home soon.”^[1293]  Still in Guam, however, Gerry’s return to Canada was weeks away. Other Signals families would soon be receiving messages from their sons as well. Jim Mitchell’s telegram reached National Defence Headquarters via Washington, D.C. “Receiving excellent care,” he said. “Feeling fine. Will be home soon.”^[1294]  Like Gerry, Jim was in Guam and still a long trip by ship and train from home. Johnny Douglas’ message also arrived in Ottawa. “Home will be the next stop. Feeling good and in good health. Round up everybody to meet me.” A telegram forwarding the message was received by his mother in Vancouver the next day.^[1295]

Thursday, September 27

The USS General R.L. Howze departed Manila for San Francisco. One of the twenty-six Canadians on board was Sgt. Ron Routledge.^[1296]  In Canada, newspapers published the latest list of repatriated POWs issued by National Defence. Among the names were two Signals, Bob Acton and Johnny Douglas.^[1297]  Both continued to wait in Guam, although they would soon be traveling by air to San Francisco; but not before being interviewed by one of the two Canadian war correspondents who arrived there this day.^[1298]

Friday, September 28, 1945

A front page story in the Vancouver Daily Province, filed from Guam, described the situation there for hundreds of LPWs, and shared some of the thoughts and recollections of the men. Portraying the Naval Hospitals as “a dream of paradise come true,” the article pointed out that the men were not housed there because of illness, but “because it’s a nice place to stay in a beautiful setting amid coconut palms.” The reporter (who obviously hadn’t been a prisoner, away from home for four years) related how Sgmn. Douglas was worrying about the dependants’ allowance his mother should be getting. He also quoted Bob Acton referring to his mistreatment by Japanese guards. Another article in the day’s paper named Art Robinson as one of two Vancouver men on the latest list of freed POWs.^[1299]

Sunday, September 30

This was a day of departures for three of the last few Signals still on islands in the Pacific. In Manila, the HMCS Prince Robert left for Canada. Among the repatriates on board was George Grant.^[1300]  Daily departures by ship and aircraft continued in Guam. Bob Acton and Johnny Douglas were two of the lucky ones to grab flights bound for Hawaii.^[1301]  Before long, Jim Mitchell, Art Robinson, and Blacky Verreault would follow.

Monday, October 1

Another newspaper report filed from Guam talked about Sgmn. Art Robinson.

In a mere two weeks since he was released the effects of malnutrition in enemy prison camps have been erased….

The miracle has been worked by the wonderful treatment he has received from American naval authorities. “I weighed 118 when we left camp,” Robinson told me. “And now I’m up to 142.”^[1302]

His family in Vancouver must have been delighted to read such encouraging words.

In Victoria, Bob Acton’s father got a telegram with similar good news. “Arrived Hawaii by plane today, leaving tomorrow. See you soon. I’m in good health.”^[1303]

Tuesday, October 2

Another telegram arrived at the Acton home – this one demonstrating the time lag in communication from Ottawa. Sent from National Defence, the message was that Bob was safe in Guam.^[1304]  By this time he had actually arrived in San Francisco by air, along with Johnny Douglas.

There was another significant arrival in San Francisco this day. The Ozark docked at noon, greeted by a huge crowd and a band which played the “Star Spangled Banner” and “O Canada.” A couple of hours later, the 245 Canadians, including eight members of the R.C.C.S., went by ferry to Fort McDowell on Angel Island.^[1305]  Once they had settled in, Jack Rose sent a telegram to his father. “Hello Dad. Finally arrived safe and well Frisco after long trip on Ozark. Expect leave via train for Seattle tomorrow.”^[1306]  Also on board the Ozark was Capt. John Reid, the medical officer who had been at Camps 3D and Sendai No. 2.

During this whole trip the Americans treated us wonderfully well and if they hadn’t thought to give you something and you asked for it, you got it. In San Francisco we put the men out at Fort McDowell, waited for twenty-four hours until another ship came in from Manila, then we all went by train to Seattle and then by boat to Victoria.^[1307]

There in San Francisco to welcome the Canadians was an official with messages for the returning troops from the Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence. He cabled back to Ottawa that morale was high and the physical condition good, but that there was “great anxiety [for] quick reunions [with] families.”^[1308]

Wednesday, October 3

At 10:30 a.m. the Admiral Hugh Rodman docked at San Francisco with about 100 Canadians on board, including Sgmn. Larry Dowling. The special train to carry these men and the Canadians from the Ozark to Seattle was scheduled to leave later in the afternoon, so arrangements were made to keep the newly arrived men on the Rodman and serve them a meal before transferring them to the train. On the Ozark, there was a breakfast of eggs, pineapple juice, fresh fruit and “all the milk we could drink.” The morning was spent listening to a baseball game over the ship’s loudspeakers and writing notes home. Lunch included beefsteak and ice cream.^[1309]  At about 2:30 the men from both ships were taken by ferry to an area referred to as “the Knoll” where the train was waiting.^[1310]  Also getting aboard were two other Signals, Acton and Douglas. The “Special C.A.N. 432” left at 5:35 with almost 400 Canadian servicemen on board.^[1311]

Thursday, October 4

In Vancouver, Mrs. Douglas received a telegram from the Director of Records in Ottawa:

K34017 Signalman John Taylor Douglas has now arrived San Francisco is enroute to Victoria BC and is expected to arrive there fifth October, 1945.^[1312]

A newspaper article, filed from Oregon, listed some of those on board the nineteen car train and provided a few details. Acton, D’Amours, Dayton, Douglas, Dowling, Jenkins, Keyworth, Kurluk, Naylor, Rose and Speller were the Signals on board. It noted that Acton and Douglas were riding in a hospital car (“just for rest”) and the twenty-four officers were “keeping to their own car at the back of the train.”^[1313]  What a joyful atmosphere, full of laughter and anticipation, must have existed on that train. At one stop, there was an orchard near the track and Walt Jenkins and a friend convinced one of their buddies to go over and gather some apples. He made it as far as the fence before a large unfriendly dog put a quick end to the raid.^[1314]

Friday, October 5

At 6 a.m. the train arrived in Seattle and the men detrained and boarded the SS Princess Alice. The ship docked in Victoria around noon.^[1315]  From the ferry they were bused to Gordon Head camp where they were fed, had medical inspections, and received new uniforms.^[1316]  As part of the debriefing process, the men had the opportunity while being interviewed to mention particularly noteworthy behaviour on the part of fellow POWs. A report summarizing some of these statements was forwarded to the head of Pacific Command. In it, Don Penny is one of the men making very positive comments about Ron Routledge’s efforts on behalf of other POWs at Sham Shui Po.^[1317]

Saturday, October 6

The Saturday paper in Victoria had extensive coverage of the arrival of the Princess Alice the day before. Along with photographs of local Signals Bob Acton, Howie Naylor and Lee Speller, were interviews with some of the men, describing their experiences in Hong Kong and Japan. Bob Acton also commented on the post-war treatment of the POWs.

The Americans couldn’t do enough for us. From the day the war was over they took care of us, first with food, clothing and medical supplies dropped in our camps from B-29s. We had a medical check in Japan, another in Guam, all the clothes we needed, and all the food we could eat. They really looked after the Canadians.^[1318]

Monday, October 8

It was a real Thanksgiving for Mr. and Mrs. A.P. Dayton and their family this year. Sunday their son, Cpl. Ernie Dayton, arrived in Vancouver after nearly four years internment in a Japanese camp. Monday, together with his sister, Miss Laura Dayton, a teacher at Crofton House School in Vancouver, and his brother Martin, discharged airman now attending the University of British Columbia, he enjoyed Thanksgiving day with his parents….

Cpl. Dayton has gained over 50 pounds since his release. He now has 42 days leave.^[1319]

Tuesday, October 9

The Admiral Hughes arrived in Victoria, docking at the Government jetty at Esquimalt. Among the 161 Canadians on board were Tony Grimston and Ray Squires, who was met by his wife Marianne. Also on hand to greet the returning troops was B.C. Lt. Gov. W.C. Woodward. In the large crowd that assembled to cheer their arrival was Lee Speller, one of “the most enthusiastic welcomers.” Later in the day, the Gosper, which had sailed from Manila a few days before the Admiral Hughes, was scheduled to arrive in Victoria.^[1320]  The only R.C.C.S. man on board was Capt. Billings. It was also about this time that Gerry Gerrard arrived by ship in San Francisco, after a voyage from Guam that included a stop at Pearl Harbor.^[1321]

Friday, October 12

Aboard an overnight train heading north from San Francisco to Seattle, Sgmn. Gerrard had a special reason to look forward to his arrival in Victoria the next day. While at Fort McDowell he had received a telegram from Lee Speller, telling him that his girlfriend would be there to greet him when he got off the boat from Seattle.^[1322]  In Vancouver around the same time, another train was preparing to leave for points east, carrying repatriated POWs. Wally Normand and Blacky Verreault would be on board, eagerly awaiting the stop in Montreal a few days later.

Sunday, October 14

Larry Dowling’s train pulled into Toronto early in the morning. The next day he would be home in St. Catharines showing off the memorabilia he brought home from Hong Kong to his family and local reporters.^[1323]

Tuesday, October 16

In San Francisco, two ships arrived, each carrying a member of the R.C.C.S. On board the Joseph T. Dickman with about forty other Canadians was Will Allister.^[1324]  Their first meal ashore was in a mess hall of a barracks housing German prisoners of war.^[1325]  Later in the day the General Howze pulled into the dock with twenty-six Canadians, including Ron Routledge, ready to get on with the last stage of their trip home.^[1326]

The train carrying Wally Normand and Blacky Verreault finally arrived in Montreal, greeted by large crowds of relatives and friends of the returning soldiers. Family members of both Signals were there, although it took some time for the Normands to find their son who was on a different section of the train.^[1327]  Wally recalled that the big crowd of friends with his family sort of bothered him. “I just wanted to meet my Mom and Dad and brother, not a whole crowd.”^[1328]

Thursday, October 18

The train from San Francisco with Will Allister and Ron Routledge on board pulled into Seattle, where the Canadians would spend the night.^[1329]  Will got a pass and went out for the evening on his own, “to savour the strange luxury of being totally alone.”^[1330]

Friday, October 19

In the morning, Ron, Will and about seventy other Canadians boarded a boat for Victoria. They arrived in early afternoon to crowds of friends, family, photographers and reporters.^[1331]  While the men “wanted to kiss the ground we thought we’d never see again,” the arrival back on Canadian soil did not eliminate the recurring “nightmare from which we were waking.”^[1332]  The concept of “post-traumatic stress” was still decades away, but officials with the Department of National Defence did recognize there would be potential medical problems for the repatriated POWs. In a letter sent from Ottawa to “All Liberated Prisoners of War (Pacific Theatre),” Adjutant General Walford noted:

The two most important things to you now are, reunion with your family, and the regaining and maintenance of your health.

Now that you have had an opportunity to see your relatives, it is of the utmost importance from your own point of view that you should do everything possible to safeguard your health. This is very definitely in your own interest, and also in the interest of your family and friends, and all with whom you may come in contact. The reason for this is that many of the strange diseases to which you have been exposed in the East can be communicated by one person to others, even though the person who carries the disease may feel quite all right.

There is only one way to make sure that you can consider yourself safe, and that is to go to hospital and have certain tests made. These tests will show whether or not you are likely to carry or suffer from such things as beri-beri, dysentery, malaria, schistostomiasis, etc. If any trouble is found, it can immediately be given the proper treatment. You should, therefore, be prepared to spend the necessary time for a complete investigation to be made. The number of days, of course, will depend on the condition found.

The Medical Service in all Districts have been made ready to carry out these tests and to correct any such trouble as is mentioned above. You are, therefore, urged to report as soon as conveniently possible to the nearest Military Hospital so that these tests can be carried out. If you feel sick, of course, you should take this step at once.

This advice is an appeal to your own self interest, because your whole future may depend on the action which you take at the present moment. Every effort must be made to reduce the risks to which you have been exposed.

You are therefore asked to take this letter to the Registrar of the nearest Military Hospital on the first convenient morning in order that your mind may be relieved and this protection given.^[1333]

How many of the men actually went to their area hospitals is not known. But with such strong words it would have been hard to ignore the advice, and the majority of Signals apparently did get checked out.

Saturday, October 20

 After almost three weeks at sea coming from Manila, the Prince Robert berthed at the Esquimalt docks. One of the first people allowed on board was George Grant’s wife. The Vancouver Daily Province ran a front page photo of their happy reunion.^[1334]

Monday, October 22

Sgmn. Roland D’Amours, 32, captured at the fall of Hong Kong, returned to Ottawa this morning from the prison camp at Niigata where he spent three and a half years of his life suffering indignities at the hands of the Japanese.

When he alighted from the Vancouver train at the Union station he wandered about the platform looking for someone he knew….^[1335]

Following the advice received in the Adjutant General’s letter, Rolly checked into an Ottawa hospital soon after arriving home.^[1336]

Wednesday, October 24

George Billings arrived in his hometown of Kingston where his wife had earlier returned to be with her parents. When questioned by a local reporter, Capt. Billings “declined to comment on his experiences.”^[1337]

By this date, all the ships carrying Canadians from Guam, including the remaining members of the Signal Corps, had arrived in San Francisco. If they hadn’t already reached Victoria or Vancouver, the last two Signals, Jim Mitchell and Art Robinson, would be there within days. For Art it would be his last stop – home being Vancouver. For Jim, however, there was still a train trip across half the country before he would be back with his family.

I was on the train coming back and I sent a wire to my Dad saying I’ll be home to Sudbury by way of Toronto….So my brothers went down to Toronto….But a guy came to me on the train when we were coming into Sudbury [with some questions about the town], and I wasn’t going to get off….In a little while he came back and said are you going to get off, there’s about a hundred people out there waiting for you. So I got off and my brothers got the next train coming back up.^[1338]

End of October

The last member of the Signal Corps to arrive home was Will Allister. It was about October 30 when his train pulled into Montreal.

The family was lined up, grinning, waving, tense with excitement. Ma, Pa, sisters, brothers, nieces, wives – I fell into welcoming, loving, enveloping arms – hugging, kissing, laughing, babbling – the shock waves of rising emotion overloading the air till it seemed to be imploding about us invisibly – if its energy could be turned to light it would be blinding. It was all over.^[1339]

---

Four years earlier, a group of young, untested members of the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals had sailed from Vancouver. Most of them in their late teens and early twenties, they were setting out on what seemed like an adventure. It turned out to be more like a visit to hell. They were called on to perform their Signals duties under arduous battle conditions, fight for their lives, deal with the deaths of comrades and friends, and endure years of deprivation and terrible conditions as prisoners of the Japanese. These valiant men truly defined the phrase, “beyond the call of duty.”

Photo Gallery

---

Chapter 9: Coming Home - Notes

[1206] Vancouver Daily Province, Sept. 4, 1945