A Legacy in Stone
The Hong Kong Veterans were among Canada's bravest—young men sent across the world in 1941 to defend Hong Kong against overwhelming odds.
Many endured unimaginable hardship as prisoners of war, and those who survived returned home forever changed. Their courage, sacrifice and resilience are woven into the fabric of our nation's history.
The Hong Kong Veterans Memorial Wall stands as a lasting tribute to these men and their families. Located in Ottawa, the wall honours the names and stories of those who served, ensuring they are never forgotten. It is a place of quiet reflection, deep respect, and national pride—a sacred space where generations can gather to remember, learn, and carry the legacy forward.
The Hong Kong Veterans Memorial Wall is more than granite and names—it’s a symbol of courage, resilience, and remembrance. Created through the tireless efforts of the Hong Kong Veterans Commemorative Association and supported by veterans, families, and communities across Canada, the wall was unveiled in Ottawa in 2009 as a permanent tribute to those who served in the Battle of Hong Kong.
Every name engraved represents a life lived with honour, a story of sacrifice, and a legacy that endures. The wall’s presence in the nation’s capital reminds us that these soldiers’ contributions are part of our country’s history, not just family memory.
Its solid form stands for strength. Its quiet setting invites reflection. And its very existence speaks to the enduring promise we make to each veteran—that they will not be forgotten. The wall is a sacred space where memory lives, and where legacy is carved in stone.
Site Contents
This area of our HKVCA web is the central repository for all information related to the Memorial Wall. Topics contained in this area are listed in the pull-down above.
Items that are no longer current but are of historical value have been archived.
Wall Design Description
The wall is black granite, 20 feet long x 7.5 feet high x 3 feet thick. It sits on a 60-foot patio, which circles the wall and includes a wavy sitting wall that depicts the water surrounding Hong Kong.
The top of the wall has the 5 mountain peaks that were the battleground for many of the Canadians on the island. The plants around the wall are deeply scented as Hong Kong means "Fragrant Island". The red granite rocks and maple trees are from Quebec, while wavy grasses across the path represent the fields of wheat in the west and help to accent the site.
A plaque depicting the battle story adorns one of the granite rocks, notifying visitors of the significance of this wonderful memorial. When facing east, the long face of the wall is inscribed with the names of the Royal Rifles of Canada, while facing west the wall contains the names of the Winnipeg Grenadiers. On each end of the wall are the inscriptions of the names of the Brigade Headquarters units who supported the Grenadiers and Royal Rifles.
Wall Location
(Corner of Sussex Dr and King Edward Ave, Ottawa). See map below.
Images
Our
image gallery contains many photos of the Wall, from inception to
completion.
Parking
Currently there are no dedicated parking spaces close to the Wall, and we realize that this is a major access issue. HKVCA is working with the City of Ottawa toward creating some dedicated spaces, but the estimated costs have become prohibitive. More information was provided in our Autumn 2020 Newsletter in Mike Babin's column.
Memorial Wall Committee
Chair:
Carol Hadley
Members:
Derrill Henderson
Phil Doddridge
Barry Mitchell
Murray Doull
Ron McGuire
Randy Wing