Transportation - Home Base to Hong Kong

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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

Transport to Japan

Transportation SE Asia to Home

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Post-war Photo

Other Military or Public Service

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Death and Cemetery Information

Gravestone Image

Obituary / Life Story

Funeral service for the late Mr. Paul Emile Mondor, 58 years, was held from St. Ignace Roman Catholic Church Friday. November 29 with Msgr. L. Mondor officiating. Interment took place at St. Ignace Cemetery, with Ross Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Legion rights [rites] were observed at graveside by Royal Canadian Legion Willow Bunch Branch No. 287.

Mr. Mondor was born at Willow Bunch on July I, 1916 and attended school at Gravelbourg. He worked in Quebec for a time then served with the Winnipeg Grenadiers and was a prisoner of war In Hong Kong [and Japan] for 44 months. After returning from Asia he spent a considerable time in hospital. He married the former Marguerite Bourassa at Radville in 1947. Mr. Mondor farmed in the Willow Bunch area and did carpenter work also.

He is survived by his wife, Marguerite of Willow Bunch; seven sons, Philippe of Vancouver, George of Esterhazy. Paul Jr. of Assiniboia, Norman of Carlyle, Ronald, Roger and Allan all at home, Willow Bunch; three daughters, Carmelle (Mrs. Carl Harris) of Regina. Doreen and Genevieve [Jenny] both at home; three brothers, Msgr. Lionel Mondor of Swift Current, Marcel Mondor of Willow Bunch, Laurien Mondor of Willow Bunch; three sisters, Laurianne (Mrs. Paul Lapaire) of Regina, Rejeanne (Mrs. Ronald Provost ) of Kelowna and Laurette (Mrs. Novotney) of Carrot Creek, Alta; many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his mother in 1927, three infant sisters, his father July 1972 and brother Larry July 1973. All family members were in attendance except his sister Mrs. Provost.

Pallbearers were [Legionnaires] Sam Boisvert, Bud Wood, Maurice Durand, Scott Millar, John Paterson and Leo Fitzpatrick.

Relatives attending the funeral of the late Paul Mondor were his only [living] Uncle and Aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Gabriel Mondor; cousins Lorenzo and Jerry of Willow Bunch; brothers and sister-in-law Mr. and Mrs. Marcel Mondor and son Rickie, nephew, and niece, Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert PrefontaIne [Marguerite] and family of Lisieux, Brother Laurien Mondor and daughter Susie of Willow Bunch.

Cousins Mrs. John Hard of Swift Current, Mr. and Mrs. John [Jean] Mondor and Mrs. Ernest Ferland of Ponteix, sister and brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Lapaire of Regina. a brother Rev. Msgr. L Mondor of Swift Current. Mrs. Mondor's seven brothers and one sister were present Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Bourassa of Regina, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Bourassa and son Danny, Mr. and Mrs. Roland Bourassa, Mr. and Mrs. Armand Bourassa, Euclid Bourassa [of Saskatoon], Raymond Bourassa of Thompson, Manitoba, sister Mrs. Lorette (nee Bourassa) Ottenbreit of Regina and [son-in-law] Mr. Carl Harris of Regina.

Other relatives were Mr. and Mrs. Louis Martin, Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Fast, Regina; Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Carles. Mr. and Mrs. Camille Lavellee, Mr. Aristide Bourassa all of Radville. Larry Dionne of Glentworth. of Ponteix; Rev. Father Roger Ducharme of Ferland; Mrs. Terry [Therese] McLean, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Tuomainen, Mr. and Mrs. Osias Bruneau, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Leduc of Assinibola, Mr. and Mrs. Roland Ducharme, Mr. and Mrs. Roger Legault, Mr. and Mrs. Leo O’Reilly, Mr. and Mrs. Larry O'Reilly, Mr. and Mrs. Rosario Lanoie of St Victor, Adam Lanoie of Lisieux.

Obituary Published in Assiniboia Times, December 1974.

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General Comments

Snakes, frogs and grass soup tasted good to Willowbunch man

By BRUCE PEACOCK

See image- ANXIOUS TO EAT: L.-Cpl. Paul E. Mondor, Willowbunch, who ate snakes and frogs while a prisoner of the Japanese, was ready to eat a real meal when relatives entertained him in Regina. With him, above, are his father, Phillip Mondor, Willowbunch, and a brother, Fr. Lionel Mondor, Swift Current. L.-Cpl. Mondor wore the Hong Kong patch, a circular red patch with the initials "H.K." in Oriental letters, denoting participation in Hong Kong fighting.

Take It from L.-Cpl. Paul E. Mondor, 29, of Willow-bunch [should be Willow Bunch], snake meat tastes just like chicken. Frogs make tasty eating, too.

A prisoner of the Japanese since the fall of Hong Kong, Dec. 25, 1941, he used both to bolster a meagre diet of grass soup, rice and onion tops.

Animal entrails, tossed to the prisoners from time to time, were looked upon almost as a delicacy when they, too, were cooked, he said in Regina Tuesday.

L-Cpl. Mondor had a busy time of it in the city when nearly 20 relatives greeted him and then took him to the King's hotel for dinner.

As the guests were being seated, he related his experiences as a prisoner and commented on the chicken-like taste of snakes. He turned to order a steak. It was meatless Tuesday. He settled for chicken.

L.-Cpl. Mondor weighed 138 pounds when captured while serving with the Winnipeg Grenadiers. When liberated he was down to 98 pounds. Good American food has boosted his weight to the 154-pound mark.

"If I had been a prisoner two more months, I'd never have been back here, he said. He reported that he had had every type of sickness that was prevalent in the Far East, that his heart was bad and that his spirit had been near the breaking point. He is still suffering from beri-beri.

L.-Cpl. Mondor was held prisoner at Hong Kong until December, 1943, and was taken to Oeyama camp, Japan, where he worked in a nickel mine. He was liberated Aug. 17. Japanese soldiers used shovels and bamboo sticks to administer beatings when it was felt the men were slacking, he said. Having felt the sting of bamboo across his back, he likened it to a whip lash.

Like others who have returned, he said his imprisonment seemed like a dream. “It was so long and yet appears so short,” he commented.

Lack of reading material and amusements made for a monotonous existence, L.-Cpl. Mondor said. He had received no letters or parcels from his people and only half an American Red Cross parcel.

Food for the most part was rice and "greens," the greens being grass which was often boiled for soup. "Sometimes the Japs gave us a few onion tops, which added flavour to the stuff," he said. "We never had any salt or sugar:" Frogs were skewered and roasted over small fires. Snakes were skinned, cut into inch-long bits and cooked with rice and grass to make a passable meal.

Asked if he thought he could again eat snake meat, now that he was back on Canadian rations, L.-Cpl. Mondor answered in the affirmative. "I'm even going to try it," he said.

Commenting on his imprisonment, he said it was surprising to him what the human body could stand up under.

His idea for post-war treatment of the Japanese was that they should be put on the same rations the prisoners had.

He admitted that he was embittered toward the Japs and intimated that he might let his hatred get the best of him should he meet one on the street.

Among those who entertained him In Regina were: Phillip [should be Philippe] Mondor, his father, of Willowbunch, his brothers Marcel and Laurlen, also of Willowbunch; a brother. Sgt. Larry [Mondor] R.C.A.S.C., who returned from Europe 10 days ago; a brother, Fr. Lionel Mondor, Swift Current; three sisters, Mrs. Paul LaPaire, Mrs. Ronald Provost and Lorette of Willowbunch, and a cousin, Alice Legare, Willow-bunch, a member of the navy.

"I'd like to thank the people of Willowbunch," said L.-Cpl. Mondor. "They loaned the folks three cars so they could come and meet me."

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THE ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION SASKATCHEWAN COMMAND COMMEMORATIVE HISTORY BOOK 1926 – 2006

A Collection of Memories, Activities and Community Commitment from our Branches and Members throughout the Province!

Page 269

WILLOW BUNCH BRANCH 287 Willow Bunch Branch #287 received its Charter on May 29, 1946. Charter members were: A. Berard, L. Berard, C. Bonneau, G.A. Bullis, J.M. Caplette, G. Duperreault, R.E. Gosselin, J.A. Gourley, J. Lacerte, E. LaPointe, A. Legare, S. Millar, L. Mondor, A. Rainville, M. Rainville, E. Rodrique, S.G. Sylvestre and D. Wood.

Sylvio Sylvestre obtained permission to start a Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion in Willow Bunch. Sylvio, Secretary/Treasurer until 1970, climbed the ladder of Provincial Command to become President.

In 1963-64, Sylvio and Don Johnson (Assiniboia) had a dream of "Hands Across the Border," which later became reality with the birth of the "49th Parallel Days."

Paul Emile Mondor, very active in the local Legion, hosted Legion events in his home. In 1964, a site was purchased and a former hall/school was moved onto the site to become the Legion Hall. Sunday nights were bingo night. In the late 1940s, and early 1950s, the Legion paid for a hotel room and two meals for transient Legion members. Members were active in 49th Parallel Days with other Branches.

There is a November 11th Memorial Service, with presentation of crosses and wreaths for the public, followed by lunch for Legion and Auxiliary, then meetings in the afternoon. Legion members used to host a November 11th supper and dance each year for the general public as a fundraising event. Currently, fellowship follows with supper at the restaurant and sometimes cards at the hall. Remembrance Day Service at the school is supported by a Colour Party from the Legion.

The Legion has bought various pieces of medical equipment, and a wheelchair for public use was purchased, which can be leased through the clinic. In September 2004, Legion members bought a brass plaque, "Lest We Forget," with different wars on it and the Legion Crest.

Willow Bunch Legion has been a huge supporter of the Royal Canadian Legion Essay, Poem and Poster Contest Winners for Zone, District and Provincial Levels. Many students participate, with several winning at the Zone and the District levels, and in 2005, there was a Provincial winner from Willow Bunch.

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End of Report.

Report generated: 01 Apr 2025.