The Manitoba region of the HKVCA grew from family members who began attending the HKVA monthly meetings to help the veterans with social events. Among the earliest volunteers were Pat Maltman (wife of Bill Maltman H6852), and Juliet Lafortune (daughter of Marcien Lafortune H6503), whose family organized many of the annual social gatherings.
In 1993, Lora Wachtendorf (daughter of Clifford Carpenter H6199) sent letters to the veterans’ families seeking volunteers to create the Manitoba region. About a dozen family members attended that meeting in Winnipeg, including Lora, Juliette, Carol Hadley (daughter of Borge Agerbak H6326), Evelyn Agerbak (wife of Borge Agerbak), and Barry Mitchell (son of Vaughan Mitchell X62). Juliet accepted responsibility as MB Regional Director with Barry Mitchell as Treasurer and Membership and Carol Hadley as Secretary and newsletter. Carol, Juliet, Barry, and Lora were strong supporters of the HKVCA and contributed greatly to both regional and national executives.
Throughout this period, the Manitoba region continued supporting the veterans at their meetings and social events including the annual reunion dinner, maintained the regional newsletter (which helped to keep the veterans connected) and participated in memorial services including VJ Day, Remembrance Day, and the Battle of Hong Kong parade organized by the Winnipeg Grenadier Cadets.
With its strong leadership and membership, the Manitoba region accomplished much. Achievements include: the Arden 7 Memorial, the Manitoba Legislature Plaque honouring the Winnipeg Grenadiers, the stained glass window in Winnipeg’s All Saints church, the memorial at Deer Lodge Hospital in Winnipeg commemorating John Osborn, inclusion of WG artifacts at the Manitoba Museum, the administration of the Winnipeg Grenadier’s Hong Kong Trust Fund (providing financial support for the education of the children and grandchildren of the veterans), the Winnipeg Grenadier Cadet Corp award, and hosting regional reunions and a national convention.
Many volunteers including Dennis Bell (son of William Bell H6336) and his wife Marleen, Donna Remillard (daughter of Ray Sellers H6609), Colleen Stebbe (daughter of Lawrence Stebbe H6415), and others assisted with these projects and events.
The Colour Party — Vince Lopata, Stan Lopata, Alex Taylor, Don Thomson, and Tim Klumper — were a particular asset. As former Winnipeg Grenadier Cadets they had a close and meaningful relationship with the veterans and, when the Manitoba HKVCA was formed, they joined and continued to support all events.
Around 2000, Linda May (Juliet Lafortune's daughter) built our first national website bringing the veterans' legacy into a new medium. It included what became known as Barry's Emporium, through which Barry Mitchell offered a range of items related to ‘C’ Force and the veterans. One notable item for sale was a coloured Honour Roll designed by Lauren Heinrichs (granddaughter of veteran Ferdinand Poitras H6359).
In 2007, the merger of the Manitoba region with the Alberta/Saskatchewan region was approved thereby creating the Prairie region.
‘We will remember them’.
Prepared with contributions from Carol Hadley, Barry Mitchell, and others.
Back to HKVCA History