I want to take a moment to not only update you on my Gander Film Project, but also to express my sincerest admiration for all the Battle of Hong Kong Veterans, their family members and for all Canadians for their commitment to helping keep Freedom in the world.  I am displaying my HKVCA Yard Sign, which I display at my home here in Phoenix, Arizona.  I want to personally thank Lori Smith for sending me the Yard Sign… Ironically, just after I put it on our deck, a neighbor stopped by and asked, “What is the sign for?”  I explained what it was for and he stopped me with, “Oh, is this the organization you told us about that you are doing the film on?” 

Things are developing, I have been receiving a lot of positive assistance from many of the Film Professionals in Winnipeg and Calgary.  As I write, I am happy to report that a Miniseries is being pitched about various animals that have served in the military and Gander’s story is the initial one being told to the CBC.    

  To our Board and all the volunteers behind the scenes- you know who you are- accolades from some people on Facebook “who put all this work together” …. “who keep their memories alive in so many different ways”. Compliments and many thanks!

If you are on Facebook or notice on the ‘C’ Force reports something missing or something that should be added or updated- PLEASE, oh PLEASE connect, so we can enhance the HKVCA ‘C’ Force reports and remember these men forever!

Have you invited all your friends to ‘Like’ or ‘Join’ our two Facebook identities?? It is easy to do:

Here’s the link for the Hong Kong Veterans Tribute group. Find the +Invite  up near the top. Click on it and you can invite all your FB friends.

And for the Hong Kong Veterans Commemorative Association page. Find the 3 dots … near the top and choose your action ‘Liked’ or ‘Follow’ or ‘Share’. If you ‘Follow’ you will start receiving all the daily posts as well as find out about interesting HKVCA Virtual Events pertaining to the Battle of Hong Kong. And if you ‘Share’ to your FB identity (make it Public) then you are helping spread the word about the ‘C’ Force men who fought in the Battle of Hong Kong. 

Are you a YouTube watcher?? Subscribe to ‘HKVCA Docs’ and you will be updated as we expand the items on this online avenue.

 Created 112 years ago, the Last Post Fund has arranged funerals and, where necessary, burials and grave markers for more than 156,000 Veterans from Canada, Britain, Scotland, Ireland, Australia, Belgium, France, Poland, South Africa and other allied countries.

The mission of the Last Post Fund is to ensure that no Veteran is denied a dignified funeral and burial, as well as a military gravestone, due to insufficient funds at time of death.

 The Last Post Fund is an organization that should be known to members of the HKVCA. It can potentially provide many services to those who have a link to the military. The main service is the delivery of the Funeral and Burial Program on behalf of Veterans Affairs Canada. The Last Post Fund supports other initiatives aimed at commemorating Canadian Veterans.

 Other Last Post Fund activities include the Unmarked Grave Program (UMG) through which the Last Post Fund provides military markers for eligible Veterans who have been deceased for over five years and lie in unmarked graves. Since the inception of this Program in 1996, the graves of 6,946 Veterans have been properly marked across the country. In the fiscal year 2020-2021, 605 markers were paid for and installed under the Unmarked Grave Program

 This program will be a good opportunity for all members of the HKVCA association to become engaged to verify and ensure those who were in ‘C’ force are properly marked. An initial review led to finding a veteran buried in Winnipeg whose grave is unmarked and an application has been submitted by Carol Hadley.

  The Indigenous Veterans Initiative (IVI) launched in March of 2019, focuses specifically on Indigenous communities while the newly launched Lost Veterans Initiative aims to support volunteer researchers for unmarked Veterans graves.

 Launched as an initiative of the Last Post Fund National Office, with the approval of VAC, the Initiative is consistent with the Canadian government’s efforts towards advancing reconciliation and renewing the relationship with Indigenous peoples based on the recognition of rights, respect, co-operation, and partnership.

 This program has two main components:

 1. Indigenous Unmarked Graves: To provide grave markers to Indigenous Veterans deceased for over 5 years and lying in unmarked graves.

 2. Indigenous Traditional Name Marking: To add the traditional names of Indigenous Veterans, where requested, to new and existing military grave markers.

 Since the program’s inception in March 2019, the IVI program coordinator has established relationships with 23 Indigenous community researchers across Canada. 175 UMG cases have been submitted, of which 74 have been approved to date.

If you know of a veteran who is unmarked, you can ensure they have a permanent marker to recognize their service, sacrifice and commitment by calling the Last Post Fund at- 1 800 465 7113. Using the Hong Kong Roll of Honour as a starting point.

 The HK medallion symbol is an option to be placed on markers and we can help ensure the HKVCA database is more complete.  I pause to remember those who were in Hong Kong and give thanks to your organization for educating and preserving their story.  The very last honour we can bestow upon these heroes is to provide a permanent record of their service with a military marker.

 Lest We Forget

It has been a particularly trying time for many of our members in the interior of British Columbia. The dangerously hot summer days combined with a persistent drought and a resurgent fourth wave have had a significant impact on all outdoor activities.

I'm sure that despite this, many members had their moments of remembrance on August 15th in whatever method they chose to honour the memory of their relative.  Whatever our personal situations or circumstances are, 

We Will Remember Them

As the years march on and another important milestone approaches, it is ever so important to keep the Hong Kong story alive and relevant so that their huge sacrifice will always be recognized and appreciated for generations to come. 

This is why we have to employ whatever medium is available to maintain that exposure. 

I would like to once again extend a thank you to Sam Chiu for his fine well-researched work on the ‘C’ Force Postal History”. Sam, who is the current VP of the Royal Philatelic Society of Canada, has been working with the editor of their Nov/Dec publication to feature an article on the upcoming historic 80th anniversary of the battle.  

This is a wonderful example of how one person's passion can help relate our veteran's account to a whole new audience and in doing so, inspire others to follow suit in whatever fashion.

There is a remembrance project based in Montreal called “Je Me Souviens”, (I remember). They are pulling together interviews and videos of HKVCA members and relatives of our veterans. The goal is to accumulate stories and accounts of ‘C Force’ and present an edited version on their website and in schools. The object is to educate students about the Battle of Hong Kong and to understand the long-term impacts of war upon all facets of our peaceful society. 

Inevitably there will come a time in the near future when we have no living veterans from that part of our military history. 

So it will always remain vital for us as membership turned storytellers,to find innovative ways to keep that narrative alive. 

Our Facebook page and website, do us proud every day and help fulfill our mandate in a substantive way. 

Greetings from Prairie Region.  As I begin this report, Manitoba is in the Yellow Zone with some restrictions lifted, however we are not having any monthly meetings yet, and our plaque presentations are on hold until it is safe to do so.  So we have 4 plaques on hold at this time.

We were saddened by the sudden passing of Constance (Connie) Mitchell, wife of Barry Mitchell on July 27, 2021.  Our deepest condolences were extended to the family.

The Manitoba Legislature allows us to have the Hong Kong Veterans flag fly in August and December at the Cenotaph on Memorial Blvd in Winnipeg.   Please take a moment to see the flag if you are in Winnipeg and reflect on these special Canadians.

With some relaxed health regulations, we were pleased to have 60 plus people attend our 76th Anniversary of VJ Day service and remember the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of Hong Kong on Sunday, August 15, 2021.  With temperatures in the 30s, we took advantage of what shade was there and we had water on hand to keep hydrated.   We were pleased to have the following dignitaries present:   VAC Director Lina Matos; MLA Scott Johnston, Military Envoy; City Councillor Kevin Klein for Charleswood - Tuxedo-Westwood.   Our member Rev. Murray Still, grandson of Joseph Oige, WG led us in prayer.  We had a tribute to George Peterson who was unable to be with us, but is doing well in Deer Lodge and watched on TV the ceremony in Ottawa with his daughter Pat.  Donna Remillard, daughter of Ray Sellers WG, HK read the FEPOW prayer.  There were wreaths laid by our dignities and veteran groups.  Colleen and Wayne Stebbe, children of Larry Stebbe laid the HK wreath.  The Honour Roll for this past year was read.

 We were grateful for the attendance and support from Bugler – Ray Vance; Piper – Maureen McFarlane and from the Veterans Associations - Armand Lavallee, President of Joint Veterans Association; ANAF Unit 283 – Donna Hartie, Ray Roberts, President Len Cook; Portuguese Branch, President Pietro Correia; UN Peacekeepers – Charles Cameron, Glen Symes (RCMP), Len Barnsley; Charleswood Legion 100, Glen and Roswitha Napedy; Aboriginal veterans, Director Devin Beaudry; Korean Veterans - Harry Lee; IODE – Judy Bradley, Gladys Wirth and many of our members and friends. 

Special thank you to Eirik Bardal and Paddy Douglas for assistance with chairs, PA system and podium from Neil Bardal Funeral Centre; Colour Party (Stan Lopata & Alex Taylor), Colleen and Wayne Stebbe, Donna Remillard, Rev. Murray Still and Dan James, FaceBook webmaster.

We were unable to have a reception after the service, but if the medical numbers stay low, we hope to have our Annual Event in October.

I have asked the Prairie members to send me pictures and a short report on any event that is held in their area.

***

Thank you to Kathie Carlson for keeping in touch with the Area reps in Prairie Region and to the Area reps for keeping in touch with the members.

Lethbridge, Alberta

This new gravestone for a World War II veteran was provided by the Last Post Fund.  Also, a lovely planting of poppies in recognition of the 100th Anniversary.

Kathie Carlson sent a couple of pictures of the Poppy event at Mountainview cemetery on July 6, 2021, acknowledging the 100th Anniversary of the Poppy. The event was covered by three crews from the media.

 ****

On August 13th, 2021, a small group of people assembled at 11:00 a.m., to raise the Hong Kong Commemorative flag at Lethbridge City Hall to commemorate the 80thAnniversary of the Battle of Hong Kong. In addition, Lethbridge City Hall has been lit at night in the Red and Green Colours of the Hong Kong Veterans.  Even with our increasing Covid numbers in our city, and the level of smoke from B.C. wildfires, we were able to honour our Hong Kong veterans..

We were fortunate to have local media attend, so we had coverage on Global TV, The Miracle Channel, CJOC Radio, and an extensive article in the Lethbridge Herald newspaper.

***

Thank you to all our members that remembered VJ Day in their own way and to those who sent in information on their event. 

Ottawa V-J Day Commemorations 

On a beautiful summer morning, August 15th, 2021, people gathered at the Memorial Wall to remember the veterans who served in Hong Kong, organized by the Ottawa Hong Kong members of HKVCA. It marked the 76th Anniversary of VJ Day or for ‘C’ Force, their arrival in Hong Kong for garrison duty 80 years ago.

Lt. Colonel Brian Tang, Master of Ceremonies, introduced the official guests and led the programme through The Last Post and the laying of wreaths.  His eleven-year-old son recited The Act of Remembrance in English and French.

It was important to see family attendees looking for their relatives, finding his name and taking photographs at the Memorial Wall to remember.

Information being collected for 2 Future newsletters 

Your Stories are Important

Most of us have come to know well the stories of the battles fought, the imprisonment, and life inside the prison camp.

Now we want to hear the stories of those left behind during the war. What was life like for families across Canada and how did relatives cope during their loved ones' period of incarceration. 

If you have a story to share - no anecdote is too small - please use the Contact Us form linked from our web pages. We will connect you to where you can send your story.

The stories received will be compiled and shared with you in an upcoming newsletter. Your stories are important and we thank you for your consideration. Megan Coles (granddaughter of WG Leonard Corrigan, X40)

Christmas without Dad

“Hong Kong Resistance Ends”  (Headline in the newspaper December 25, 1941)

But for children of the soldiers, it meant daddy would not be home for Christmas. Having said goodbye a few months earlier, no one imagined this outcome nor realized how long it would last. The ‘DADS’ would not return until the fall 0f 1945.

There must be stories from families who experienced what it was like not to have their father home for Christmas.

Share your stories with other HKVCA families by filling in the Contact Us form found on our web pages. We will put you in contact with Shelagh Purcell. Shelagh is a daughter of WG Leonard Corrigan, X40.

Deadline is November 1st, 2021 to put submissions in the Christmas newsletter.

Searching

Can any of our readers assist Guy Chenel? If you can help, fill in the Contact Us form found on our web pages and we’ll put you in contact. His request is below.

I am looking for a book where there seems to be a section about “The Canadians in the Pacific Hong Kong Brigade. There is a picture of 5 Chenell brothers.  Are you able to let me know the title of this book so that I may order a copy?  As best as I can read, the page number seems to end in 22.  I am doing the Chenel genealogy, and would be interested in any literature on these 5 Chenell brothers.  Many thanks.

Dues are Due

A gentle reminder that you can pay your dues by mail, online, or, if you’re an Ontario Region member, by Interac e-Transfer. Details.

Use of Email Addresses

Due to an ongoing battle with spam emails, we ask that you use our Contact Us form linked from most of our web pages if you wish to communicate with us online. This protects our members’ email addresses from being compromised. Thanks for your understanding.

Don't Forget

You have two choices:

1. You can print a copy of this newsletter right from your browser (right-click and select "Print" in most browsers, or select from the menu). You may find that there are some layout issues, especially with photos.
2. You can print an exact copy of the PDF version that was mailed out.

Note: there may be items in the online copy of the newsletter that are not included in the PDF version.