Individual Report: X86 Wells BISHOP

Rank:	First Name:	Second Name:
General Information
Major	Wells	Arnold
From:	Enlistment Region:	Date of Birth (y-m-d):
Bury QC	Eastern Quebec	1895-08-11
Appointment:	Company:	Platoon:
Company Commander	C	Coy HQ

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

Date Wounded	Wound Description	References
41/12/22; 41/12/23	N/A	36

Hospital Information

No record of hospital visits found.

POW Camps

Camp ID	Camp Name	Location	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 Aug 19
HK-AS-02	Argyle Street	Kowloon, Hong Kong	43 Aug 19	44 May 11
HK-SA-02	Shamshuipo	Kowloon, Hong Kong	44 May 11	45 Sep 10

Transportation SE Asia to Home

Transport Mode	Arrival Destination	Arrival Date	Comments
USS Gosper	Victoria	1945-10-12	Manila to Victoria, BC 1936 British and CDNS

No other or additional related information found. Please submit documents to us using the contact link at the top of this page.

Post-war Photo

Decorations Received

Image	Name of Award	Abbreviation	References	Precedence	Comments
	Distinguished Service Order	DSO	37, 38, 123	02
DSO Citation Canada Gazette dated 6 April 1946 (No. 14, Vol. 80, p. 2066) and CARO/6522 dated 18 April 1946. Major Bishop commanded "C" Company, the Royal Rifles of Canada at Hong Kong in December 1941. At about 1930 hours, 18 December, the Japanese landed at Sau Ki Wan, Hong Kong, where positions were held by the 5/7 Rajput Regiment on the left flank of "C" Company positions in Lye Mun Gap. The enemy quickly infiltrated through this line and attempted in considerable force to penetrate through Lye Mun Gap towards Brigade and Battalion Headquarters at Tai Tam Gap. Major Bishop, with great skill, so maneuvered his force that, although heavily outnumbered and forced to retire slowly, he was able to prevent the enemy penetrating into Tai Tam Gap and saved the situation from turning into a complete disaster. During this action Major Bishop personally covered the retirement of his force, and his courage, skill and devotion to duty so inspired his men that they were able to cope with enormously superior forces until reinforcements became available to assist him. During the entire period of battle this officer continued to display conspicuous qualities of bravery and leadership and to inspire not only his own men but all ranks in the East Brigade sector and contributed greatly to the maintenance of the high morale necessary to sustain a continuous defence against increasingly overwhelming odds in an obviously hopeless situation. During captivity Major Bishop continued to display outstanding qualities of unselfishness, resolution and fortitude. He participated in all activities essential to the maintenance of health and morale, and contributed in a conspicuous manner in every way. This officer acted continuously in such a manner as to uphold the highest traditions of the service. Statement of Company Quartermaster-Sergeant Colin Alden Standish, Royal Rifles of Canada Major Bishop of "C" Company, Royal Rifles of Canada, after being interned in the camp at North Point became engineer officer and did great work in keeping the camp in shape and decent to live in. Before the action at Hong Kong, Major Bishop had asked the boys to turn their money to him for safe keeping and this money was lost through enemy action through no fault of his. When the Japanese started to pay him, he returned food and all of this money although it meant depriving himself of extra food and cigarettes. He also did his best out of his own pocket to do all he could for his men and not many who went to Bowen Road Hospital went without receiving money from Major Bishop with which to buy food. He was prominent in all underground activities in camp and the men looked to him as their leader.
	Efficiency Decoration	ED		12	Citation not found

Image

Name of Award

Abbreviation

References

Precedence

Comments

Distinguished Service Order

DSO

37, 38, 123

DSO Citation

Canada Gazette dated 6 April 1946 (No. 14, Vol. 80, p. 2066) and CARO/6522 dated 18 April 1946.

Major Bishop commanded "C" Company, the Royal Rifles of Canada at Hong Kong in December 1941.

At about 1930 hours, 18 December, the Japanese landed at Sau Ki Wan, Hong Kong, where positions were held by the 5/7 Rajput Regiment on the left flank of "C" Company positions in Lye Mun Gap. The enemy quickly infiltrated through this line and attempted in considerable force to penetrate through Lye Mun Gap towards Brigade and Battalion Headquarters at Tai Tam Gap.

Major Bishop, with great skill, so maneuvered his force that, although heavily outnumbered and forced to retire slowly, he was able to prevent the enemy penetrating into Tai Tam Gap and saved the situation from turning into a complete disaster.

During this action Major Bishop personally covered the retirement of his force, and his courage, skill and devotion to duty so inspired his men that they were able to cope with enormously superior forces until reinforcements became available to assist him. During the entire period of battle this officer continued to display conspicuous qualities of bravery and leadership and to inspire not only his own men but all ranks in the East Brigade sector and contributed greatly to the maintenance of the high morale necessary to sustain a continuous defence against increasingly overwhelming odds in an obviously hopeless situation. During captivity Major Bishop continued to display outstanding qualities of unselfishness, resolution and fortitude. He participated in all activities essential to the maintenance of health and morale, and contributed in a conspicuous manner in every way. This officer acted continuously in such a manner as to uphold the highest traditions of the service.

Statement of Company Quartermaster-Sergeant Colin Alden Standish, Royal Rifles of Canada

Major Bishop of "C" Company, Royal Rifles of Canada, after being interned in the camp at North Point became engineer officer and did great work in keeping the camp in shape and decent to live in. Before the action at Hong Kong, Major Bishop had asked the boys to turn their money to him for safe keeping and this money was lost through enemy action through no fault of his. When the Japanese started to pay him, he returned food and all of this money although it meant depriving himself of extra food and cigarettes. He also did his best out of his own pocket to do all he could for his men and not many who went to Bowen Road Hospital went without receiving money from Major Bishop with which to buy food.

He was prominent in all underground activities in camp and the men looked to him as their leader.

Efficiency Decoration

Citation not found

Other Military or Public Service

X86 BISHOP Wells served and was wounded in WW1 with the 49th Regiment out of Edmonton according to his obit.

Death and Cemetery Information

Date of Death (y-m-d)	Cause of Death	Death Class
1977-08-06		Post War
Cemetery Location	Cemetery	Grave Number	Gravestone Marker
Sawyerville Quebec Canada	Maple Leaf Cemetery		Yes

Gravestone Image

Obituary / Life Story

Col. WELLS A. BISHOP D.S.O., E.D. C.D. of Sawyerville
Col. Wells Arnold Bishop of Sawyerville died peacefully in the Sherbrooke Hospital on Saturday, Aug. 6, 1977. He leaves to mourn his loss; his wife, Hazel Campbell, a son Eugene and his wife Ferne Beaudoin, a grandson, Andrew of Hamilton, Ont.; two sisters, Ada, Mrs. Rowe of Dawson Creek, B.C., and Elsie, Mrs. George of Lloydminster, Sask., also nieces: and nephews.
Col. Bishop was the only son of the late Shirley Bishop and his wife Sarah Goodenough, and was born in Marbleton Aug. 11th, 1895.
He served with the 49th Regiment of Edmonton, Alta., in the first World War. He was severely wounded and spent many months in various hospitals while overseas, came back to Canada in 1919 and settled in the Eastern Townships. After the outbreak of World War II, he was in command of the 7-11th Hussars with headquarters at Bury, Que. He reverted to the rank of Major to join the Royal Rifles of Canada from Quebec City and commanded 'C' company of that Battalion with distinction in the Battle of Hong Kong. It was in this battle that he won the Distinguished Service Order.
His citation states "His skillful retreat when heavily outnumbered had saved the situation from turning into disaster." "He personally had covered the retirement and his courage, skill and devotion to duty so inspired his men that they were able to cope with the enormously superior force until reinforcements came after surviving nearly four years in Japanese prisoner of war camps." Col. Bishop returned to Canada subsequently and commanded the 7-11th Hussars 16th Amored Regiment.
With failing health he had to give up farming in 1963 and moved to Sawyerville in 1970 where he and his wife were still living when he passed away. He spent several years as mayor of Newport and was very active in many organizations, devoting all spare time to many good causes.
A very inspiring Military funeral was held at the United Church in Sawyerville. Prayers were held at French's Funeral Home and a long cortege of veterans followed the remains to the church, being piped along by the Eastern Townships Pipe Band and into the church where a very inspiring service was given by Rev. Gordon Simons.
The choir rendered two hymns, The Battle Hymn of the Republic and Abide with Me. As the remains were leaving the church, the Hymn, God Be With You Till We Meet Again, was softly played by the organist and was then piped down the steps by the band.
Interment was in Maple Leaf Cemetery where a beautiful graveside service took place, by members of Hong Kong Veterans and Legion members, under the direction of Lloyd Doull, President of Hong Kong Veterans Association. The Firing party was supplied by the Sherbrooke Hussars.
The bearers were Arthur Lowe, Eric Batley, Allen Kelso, Howard Grey, George Everett, and Rene Bedard, all Hong Kong Veterans.
Honorary Pall Bearers were Hong Kong Veterans Association National President Charles Brady, Provincial Command Royal Canadian Legion Executive, Henri Arseneau, Lieut-Col. E.E. Denison, Lieut-Col Bert Lyon, Lieut-Col. Angus MacMillan, Lieut-Col. J.M. Strickland, Major Stan. Semple, Major Ernest MacAulay, Major Martin Banfill, Major Elmer Denison, Major Allen Royal, Major Mac Mowle, Major Harold Saunders, Captain F.B. Robinson, Captain Jean Codere, Captain Lionel Hurd, Lieut. Reggie Simons, Lieut. Don Languedoc, Lieut. Tom McKeage, Lieut. Eric Bailey and Lieut. Norman Ward.
Parade Marshal, Mr. Lloyd Doull, Sabre Bearer, Lieut. J.E.D. Smith, Medals Bearer, Colin Standish, Bugler, George Cartwright.
After the interment, lunch was served by the Ladies' Auxiliary at the Legion Hut.

Links and Other Resources

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General Comments

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End of Report.

Report generated: 27 Apr 2025.

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Additional Notes

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Service numbers for officers ("X") are locally generated for reporting only. During World War II officers were not allocated service numbers until 1945.
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