General Information | ||
Rank: | First Name: | Second Name: |
---|---|---|
Private | John | Steven |
From: | Enlistment Region: | Date of Birth (y-m-d): |
Winnipeg MB | Manitoba | 1910-05-20 |
Appointment: | Company: | Platoon: |
A |
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.
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).
Date Wounded | Wound Description | References |
---|---|---|
41/12/15 | N/A |
Camp ID | Camp Name | Location | Company | Type of Work | Arrival Date | Departure Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HK-NP-01 | North Point | North Point, Hong Kong Island | 41 Dec 20 | 41 Dec 22 | ||
HK-AS-01 | Argyle Street | Kowloon, Hong Kong | 41 Dec 22 | Dec 26 | ||
HK-SA-01 | Shamshuipo | Kowloon, Hong Kong | Capture | 42 Jan 22 | ||
HK-NP-02 | North Point | North Point, Hong Kong Island | 42 Jan 22 | 42 Sep 26 | ||
HK-SA-02 | Shamshuipo | Kowloon, Hong Kong | 42 Sep 26 | 43 Dec 15 | ||
JP-Os-3B | Oeyama | Kyoto-fu, Yosa-gun, Yoshizu-mura, Sutsu, Japan | Nippon Yakin Nickel Mine & Refinery | Mining nickel & work at the refinery | 44 Jan 06 | 45 Sep 10 |
Draft Number | Name of Ship | Departure Date | Arrival Date | Arrival Port | Comments | Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
XD5B | SS Soong Cheong / Toyama Maru | 43 Dec 15 | 44 Jan 04 | Moji, Japan | Arrived at Takao, Formosa, 43 Dec 20; Transferred to Toyama Maru, 43 Dec 30, went to Oeyama | Tony Banham |
Transport Mode | Arrival Destination | Arrival Date | Comments |
---|---|---|---|
USS Rescue | SF | a US hospital ship |
No other or additional related information found. Please submit documents to us using the contact link at the top of this page.
No other or additional related information found. Please submit documents to us using the contact link at the top of this page.
Date of Death (y-m-d) | Cause of Death | Death Class | |
---|---|---|---|
1954-03-09 | Post War | ||
Cemetery Location | Cemetery | Grave Number | Gravestone Marker |
Vancouver British Columbia Canada | Mountain View Cemetery |
Many Attended John Beltz Rites
Many former Rivers and district residents were among those paying last respects, in Vancouver, to the memory of John S. Beltz, whose death occurred in that city Mar. 9. A brother of the deceased, Harry Beltz, Rivers, was also present at the funeral.
John Beltz was born in Rivers. He joined the Winnipeg Grenadiers and went overseas. With his younger brother Michael, and other members of the regiment, he became prisoner of the Japanese at Hong Kong. In the fighting Michael was killed. The captives were treated in no light manner, and the results of that showed up after the boys' release by western allies. John went to Vancouver, where he married and established a small café business.
He is survived by his father, H. Beltz, Winnipeg: one sister, Mrs. S. Troski, also of Winnipeg: two brothers, Harry of Rivers, and Paul of Virden.
The funeral was held at Mt. Pleassant Chapel, Vancouver, with interment in Mountain View cemetery. Of the pallbearers, two were former Rivers and district residents- Archie McKellar and W. (Bill) Lusney.
There may be more information on this individual available elsewhere on our web sites - please use the search tool found in the upper right corner of this page to view sources.
H6417 John Beltz and Estelle wedding May 28 1946 Vancouver.
Hong Kong Vets Meet
The Hong Kong Veterans Association of B.C. was formed Saturday at a meeting of former prisoners of war in the RAOB Hall, 4493 Main. Henry Mayberry was elected first president of the organization, with John Beltz, secretary-treasurer.
unknown newspaper clipping
End of Report.
Report generated: 27 Apr 2025.
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