1st Bn The Royal Rifles of Canada
General Information | ||
| Rank: | First Name: | Second Name: |
|---|---|---|
| Rifleman | Thomas | George |
| From: | Enlistment Region: | Date of Birth (y-m-d): |
| Pembroke ON | Eastern Ontario | 1920-02-03 |
| Appointment: | Company: | Platoon: |
| Section 2IC | C | |
Transportation - Home Base to Hong Kong
Members of 'C' Force from the East travelled across Canada by CNR troop train, picking up reinforcements enroute. Stops included Valcartier, Montreal, Ottawa, Armstrong ON, Capreol ON, Winnipeg, Melville SK, Saskatoon, Edmonton, Jasper, and Vancouver, arriving in Vancouver on Oct 27 at 0800 hrs.
The Winnipeg Grenadiers and the local soldiers that were with Brigade Headquarters from Winnipeg to BC travelled on a CPR train to Vancouver.
All members embarked from Vancouver on the ships AWATEA and PRINCE ROBERT. AWATEA was a New Zealand Liner and the PRINCE ROBERT was a converted cruiser. "C" Company of the Rifles was assigned to the PRINCE ROBERT, everyone else boarded the AWATEA. The ships sailed from Vancouver on Oct 27th and arrived in Hong Kong on November 16th, having made brief stops enroute at Honolulu and Manila.
Equipment earmarked for 'C' Force use was loaded on the ship DON JOSE, but would never reach Hong Kong as it was rerouted to Manila when hostilities commenced.
On arrival, all troops were quartered at Nanking Barracks, Sham Shui Po Camp, in Kowloon.
Battle Information
We do not have specific battle information for this soldier in our online database. For a detailed description of the battle from a Canadian perspective, visit Canadian Participation in the Defense of Hong Kong (published by the Historical Section, Canadian Military Headquarters).
Wounded Information
No wounds recorded.Hospital Information
No record of hospital visits found.POW Camps
| Camp ID | Camp Name | Location | Company | Type of Work | Arrival Date | Departure Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HK-SM-01 | Stanley | Fort Stanley, Hong Kong Island | Capture | 41 Dec 30 | ||
| HK-NP-01 | North Point | North Point, Hong Kong Island | 41 Dec 30 | 42 Sep 26 | ||
| HK-SA-02 | Shamshuipo | Kowloon, Hong Kong | 42 Sep 26 | 43 Jan 19 | ||
| JP-To-3D | Tsurumi | Yokohama-shi, Tsurumi-ku, Suyehiro-cho, 1-chome, Japan | Nippon Steel Tube - Tsurumi Shipyards | Variety of jobs related to ship building | 43 Jan 19 | 45 May 13 |
| JP-Se-1B | Yumoto | Fukushima-ken, Iwaki-gun, Yumoto-cho, Mizunoya, Japan | Joban Coal Mining Company | 45 May 13 | 45 Sep 15 |
Transport to Japan
| Draft Number | Name of Ship | Departure Date | Arrival Date | Arrival Port | Comments | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XD3A | Tatuta Maru | 43 Jan 19, left Shamsuipo Camp, 0500 hrs; left Hong Kong 1300hrs | 43 Jan 22, 0400 hrs | Nagasaki, Japan | Boarded train, arrived in Tokyo on 43 Jan 24 at 0700 hrs, boarded electric train for 10 mile ride to camp | Tony Banham |
Transportation SE Asia to Home
| Transport Mode | Arrival Destination | Arrival Date | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| USS Ozark Passenger List C | SF | 1945-10-02 | picked up in Guam then to USA |
Ottawa Area Troops Returning From Japan
Seventeen Canadian soldiers from Military District No. 3, prisoners of the Japanese for several years, are returning to Canada. They docked at San Francisco on the U.S.S. Ozark on Tuesday, and are now en route to their homes.
They include: Rfn.. Clarence F. Bevan, Cobourg; Rfn: George Clarke, Arnprior; Rfn. Wendell F. Coughler, Aultsville; Rfn. William H. Gagne, Brighton; Pte. Richard N. Grieves, Haliburton; RQMS. William N. Henderson, Ville-Marie; Rfn. Thomas G. Jones, Pembroke; Rfn. Gordon J. Lalonde, Martintown; Rfn. Walter R. Lançour, Chalk River: Rfn. Clayton K. MacPherson, Cornwall; Rfn. Wilfred Maloof, Noranda; Rfn. Harold E. Maynes, Plainfield; Rfn. Lee E. Porterfield, Noranda; Rfn. Samuel Shane, Cornwall; Rfn: William G. Tainsh, Lindsay; Rfn. Clarence W. Thompson, Port Hope, and Rfn. Percy T. Weaver, Fenelon Falls.
Post-war Photo
No other or additional related information found. Please submit documents to us using the contact link at the top of this page.
Other Military or Public Service
No other or additional related information found. Please submit documents to us using the contact link at the top of this page.
Death and Cemetery Information
| Date of Death (y-m-d) | Cause of Death | Death Class | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006-09-03 | Post War | ||
| Cemetery Location | Cemetery | Grave Number | Gravestone Marker |
| Pembroke Ontario Canada | St. Columba’s Cemetery | Cremation | |
Gravestone Image
Obituary / Life Story
JONES, Thomas G. - World War Il Veteran and lifelong member of Branch 72, Royal Canadian Legion - Peacefully in hospital Pembroke on Sunday, September 3rd, 2006 in his 87th year. Thomas G. Jones of Pembroke, beloved husband of the late Muriel Jones (flee Kennedy). Dear father of Richard (wife Marie) of Dundas, Daniel (wife Jacqueline) of Pembroke and Dianne of Pembroke. Loving grandfather of Robert (Denise), Jason (Liza) and Elissa, all of Hamilton, and Jeffery (Amanda)Jones and Jennifer (Steve) Pappin of Pembroke. Caring great grandfather of Owen, Ethan and Lauren Pappin, Nathan Jones. Dear brother of Mabel Coburn, Irene Stark and Theresa Matthews.
Predeceased by parents Louis and Josephine Jones (flee D’Aoust), by son Alan, by brothers Napolian, Edward, Oscar, Louis, Morris and Hector, and by sisters Exilda Schimmens. By request there will be no visitation, cremation.
A Memorial Service will be held at St. Columbkilles Cathedral, Pembroke on Saturday, September 9th, 2006 at 2:30 p.m., followed by interment of ashes in St. Columba’s Cemetery, Pembroke. As an expression of sympathy, donations to the Dialysis Unit, Pembroke Regional Hospital Foundation would be appreciated. Arrangements by the Neville Funeral Home, Pembroke. Online Condolences may be left at www.nevillefuneralhome.ca
Links and Other Resources
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Related documentation
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General Comments
Rev. F. J. Deloughery Writes Pembroke He's 'Safe and Well'
PEMBROKE, Ont., Aug. 28.- (Staff) - Rev. F. J. Deloughery, only Canadian Roman Catholic chaplain with the Canadian forces captured by the Japanese when Hong Kong fell last December, is "alive and well", according to a letter received today by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Deloughery, 357 Darcy street. Another Pembroke family, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Jones, 403 Lynn street, also received a letter from their son, Cpl Thomas George Jones, that he was safe.
In his first letter home since his internment, Father Deloughery wrote that "there was no cause for worry". The letter, dated June 3, indicated he was allowed only a few words, but he said, "I will be able to print a letter or a card each month from now on." Briefly outlining his activities, he stated, "I am able to provide religious services regularly for all Catholics in the camp."
While in Pembroke, Father Deloughery taught at the continuation Separate school for 10 years. He was a chaplain in the R.C.E.T.C., at Petawawa, until his enlistment with the Quebec Rifles, in October, 1941.
Formerly a student at the Continuation school under Father Deloughery, Cpl. Jones is a prisoner in the same camp. He states he is present when mass is sung each morning. The prisoners spend their time playing softball and volley ball, he said. Cpl. Jones enlisted with the Royal Rifles of Canada.
The Ottawa Journal 29 Aug 1942, Saturday, Page: 11
Parents Hear From Pembroke Soldiers Held at Hong Kong
PEMBROKE, Aug. 28. (Special) - Parents of Capt. the Rev. F. J. Deloughery and of Cpl. Thomas George Jones, Pembroke soldiers who have been prisoners at Hong Kong since its capture by the Japanese, were delighted to receive letters today from their sons, the first direct word they have had since the fall of Hong Kong. Both men are well and apparently in good spirits.
In a short note, printed in bloCk letters, addressed to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Deloughery. 357 Darcy street, Father Deloughery said: "I am alive and well and assure you there is no cause to worry. I keep active and am able to provide religious services regularly for all Catholics in the camp. Tell my friends I am well and will be able to print a letter or a card each month from now on."
The letter was written on June 3.
Louis Jones, 403 Lynn street, also had a letter from his son, who served at Hong Kong with the Quebec Royal Rifles, in which Cpl. Jones said, "I am all right. Tell mother not to worry." He also said that he was able to obtain exercise by playing softball and volleyball and that he heard mass every morning sung by his old teacher. Father Deloughery. who before enlisting was principal of the cathedral continuation school here.
The letter was written on May 30 and Mrs. Jones said she expected they would hear fairly regularly from their son now.
End of Report.
Report generated: 27 Apr 2025.
Additional Notes
(These will not be visible on the printed copy)
- Service numbers for officers ("X") are locally generated for reporting only. During World War II officers were not allocated service numbers until 1945.
- 'C' Force soldiers who died overseas are memorialized in the Books of Remembrance and the Canadian Virtual War Memorial, both sponsored by Veterans Affairs Canada. Please use the search utility at VAC to assist you.
- Some birthdates and deathdates display as follows: 1918-00-00. In general, this indicates that we know the year but not the month or day.
- Our POW camp links along with our References link (near the bottom of the 'C' Force home page) are designed to give you a starting point for your research. There were many camps with many name changes. The best resource for all POW camps in Japan is the Roger Mansell Center for Research site.
- In most cases the rank displayed was the rank held before hostilities. Some veterans were promoted at some point prior to eventual post-war release from the army back in Canada. When notified of these changes we'll update the individual's record.
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