Wow! How time flies! It is just a little more than a year ago that over 200 of us met at the “Legacy of Remembrance” reunion in Ottawa on August 14-17, 2025 on the 80th Anniversary of V-J Day. The mammoth undertaking to bring about this event and the attendance of so many of us are outstanding testimony of the commitment to honour the sacrifices and stories of the Hong Kong veterans, preserving their legacy for future generations and strengthening the bonds of remembrance, kinship, and friendship that unite the HKVCA family.

“Legacy of Remembrance” was immeasurably enriched by the enthusiastic presence and participation of family members of Indigenous veterans. This represented the culmination of the Indigenous Veterans Project, funded by the Métis Veterans Legacy Program, in which extensive research identified the ancestry of 70 of the 131 Métis and Indigenous soldiers of ‘C’ Force. 

Enabling the recognition of the many Indigenous soldiers among the Hong Kong veterans, this project opened space in the HKVCA membership and in our hearts for the families of Indigenous veterans to proudly claim a special place in history for the Métis and Indigenous soldiers who fought in the battle of Hong Kong and suffered in the long POW internment that followed. Those 131 soldiers were almost 7 percent of the Canadian soldiers who went to the defence of Hong Kong, exceeding the 5 percent of the Canadian population formed by the people of Métis and Indigenous heritage.

For an event that succeeded beyond expectations, what could we ever do for an encore! An idea was put forward earlier this summer that we should try to keep the momentum going this year, by spreading throughout the HKVCA membership across the country the spirit of remembrance and togetherness experienced at last year’s event. We might not gather in the same physical place but perhaps we can assemble in a shared emotional and mental space, together in the spirit of remembrance and kinship, as a legacy of last year’s reunion.

It was suggested that the Board of Directors declare a theme for our Remembrance activities on V-J Day and Remembrance Day this year: given that it is the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Hong Kong perhaps we might make a special effort to honour its greatest hero. At its June meeting, the HKVCA agreed that in its commemoration of the 85th Anniversary of the Battle of Hong Kong the HKVCA will give special honour to Company Sergeant-Major John Robert Osborn.

CSM John R. Osborn was a posthumous recipient of one of 13 Victoria Crosses awarded to Canadian soldiers of the Second World War, the highest military honour awarded in the British Commonwealth. Osborn’s outstanding act of heroism and self-sacrifice on the afternoon of December 19, the worst day of the battle, saved the lives of seven fellow soldiers from ‘A’ Company of The Winnipeg Grenadiers. His Victoria Cross citation concludes:

CSM Osborn was an inspiring example to all throughout the defence, which he assisted so magnificently in maintaining against an overwhelming enemy force for over eight-and-a-half hours and in his death he displayed the highest quality of heroism and sacrifice.

CSM John R. Osborn VC stands tall for all the Hong Kong veterans who served and sacrificed. May he live in our memories forevermore.

Information resources regarding CSM Osborn are being prepared and links will be posted later this month. In the meantime, visit Osborn’s Individual Report on the HKVCA website: Individual Report: H6008 John OSBORN.

Reflections: Home After Hong Kong

In the 30+ years that I have been a member of HKVCA, I have met so many people who had a relative who fought in the battle of Hong Kong and had their loved one return home. Unfortunately, I am not in that group.

My father Vaughan, and his brother Eric, joined the Winnipeg Grenadiers and after a brief training period were sent to make up part of the defence force in Hong Kong along with 2000 others.

In the earlier days in Hong Kong, we heard from my Dad a couple of times, but hostilities broke out and communication abruptly ended. The battle only lasted 17 days and the Canadian forces surrendered on December 25th, 1941.

I was 3 years old when my dad left for the war, and thus I began my time growing up without a father. We did not receive any mail from him, but both he and his brother were declared M.I.A (missing in action). Years went by and we were still hopeful of his return, as most of the Canadians were held in prison camps in Hong Kong and Japan. By 1945, the war had ended and we still had no word. My mother wrote to the officials at most of the prison camps around the world to see if they knew my dad or my uncle and could supply us with some answers and clarification. We received no responses until one day a military chaplain came to our home to bring us the news that both men had been taken prisoner by the Japanese and subsequently killed.

After that, there was little talk of the war at home. But now we stopped looking out the window in hopes of seeing someone coming up the sidewalk. My mother did not take a job, as she felt it was her duty to be at home to raise me. She rented the second floor of our home as a way of helping to pay the bills.

I miss my dad very much, and think of him as a hero.

After my mom passed away in 1988, in the process of selling the house, I discovered a closet full of memorabilia – much of which was related to the war. Letters, articles, photographs, some jewellery, badges and medals. Of note was a bracelet that my mother had made with the Winnipeg Grenadier insignia and W. Vaughan Mitchell engraved on it – a gift she had made to honour his return. A gift she never got to give. I have worn it every moment since I found this lost treasure, and it helps me honour him every day. Finding these articles and items led me to meet members of the HKVCA, and I even wore some of the articles that had been stored away in his honour at our association events. My membership in HKVCA has allowed me great insight into how our men acted and how they were treated and what they did to start a new life when they returned home. And for that, I am grateful

Greetings from the Prairies – What a crazy summer. Like many other regions we have experienced some extreme facets of the weather. With the smoke from the fires around us to torrential rains and flooding and significant differences in temperatures it has been an interesting experience.

Prairie Region has continued to have monthly meetings, in person and virtually to accommodate out-of-town members. It is great to meet and discuss activities we are working on. Any member can join us on the second Thursday of the month at Smitty’s Restaurant on Pembina and Grant and if out of town let me know and I will send you the link.

Thanks to Jim Trick and his team for the many hours that they have put into the membership program and the process to try it first has been a bonus. Thank you for all your hard work.

Congratulations to Pam and Bert Heinrichs on the arrival of their first grandchild – a boy. The family is thrilled with this new arrival, and we wish them all the best.

As previously mentioned, I have permission to put information about 'C' Force in the ANAVETS 283 newsletter. The most recent article was on the 85th Anniversary of CSM John Osborn, WG. the first Canadian VC in WWII. Thank you to Phil Mondor in BC for compiling some interesting history for this recognition.

Our Colour Party (Stan Lopata and Alex Taylor) and several members have attended some veterans' association parades and laid a wreath.

Our VJ Day event on August 16 in the Field of Honour at Brookside Cemetery saw about 50 people attend with members of other veteran groups and Provincial and Civic dignitaries. A reception was held at the Neil Bardal centre with our Padre Murray Still as guest speaker. 

There were several other VJ Day ceremonies throughout our Region – thank you to those members who continue to recognize the efforts of 'C' Force.

A pull-up plaque will be placed in the St. Vital Museum to accompany the several displays of artifacts from the HK veterans in that area. This type of portable plaque is useful for places that cannot dedicate a wall to the size of the plaque.

From Kathie Carlson – Area Rep of Alberta and Saskatchewan – The plaques for the Legions are in the works, one in Lethbridge – no date set yet, and the other in Swift Current, Saskatchewan will be October 15, and Kathie hopes to be able to dedicate it. There are 2 for Indian Head, SK with possible dedication by zoom.

The planned initiative at the Military Museum in Calgary for November has been put on hold as they wanted too big of an event. This is unfortunate as a connection was made with the family of CSM John Robert Osborn in Edmonton during the course of this planning.

Kathie has placed information in the newspapers, and the Lethbridge City Hall will reflect the HK colours.

Efforts are being made to reconnect with Alberta and Saskatchewan HKVCA members to provide information generally on HKVCA activities as an ongoing initiative, particularly those who were unable to attend the 80th Reunion last August 2025.

Kathie has completed the Veterans Voices Flags of Remembrance application for the Sylvan Lake event on September 19th. The plaque will be the dedication to the HKVA and flag to be sent to Kathie at the end of November.

From the St. Vital Museum

The pictures are of the new banner for St. Vital Museum in Winnipeg where several veterans' items are on display. One being George Peterson’s. The pull up banner was an option as the displays are movable for various events. Lauren McNaughton and Ashton Gurligs were pleased to have the plaque in the banner format.

Lost and Found

A rumour was circulating that the Winnipeg RCL #30 West Kildonan had a HKVCA Commemorative plaque.

One busy Saturday afternoon in July 2026 Lori Atkinson Smith went on a tour to confirm or dispel the rumour.

Guess what!!!!! It exists.

A lovely friendly legion with 2 meeting rooms upstairs available for functions and a bit of wall space available for more 'C' Force information. See the legions photo display for H6294 John Adams.

Connect with the RCL #30  MB if interested - 204-338-3266.

Or if you know of another venue to permanently display our HKVCA Commemorative plaque, please email plaques@hkvca.ca

In the meantime, stay cool, stay healthy, and stay safe. God bless.

The Royal Hong Kong Regiment (The Volunteers) Ontario Association and the Hong Kong Ex-Servicemen’s Association (Ontario Branch) worked in cooperation with the Markham District Veterans Association to present a very well-organized and well-attended V-J Day ceremony at the Markham Cenotaph on August 15.

Commemoration: London, ON

The Remember November 11 Association honoured the 81st Anniversary of VJ Day in Remembrance Gardens, London, ON. Sean Wilson. President of the Remember November 11 Association, was the MC. It was well attended with coffee and cookies afterwards.

We were especially pleased to see Gord Collins, brother of RRC E30129 Cpl. Alger Collins. Alger fought alongside our dad and his 2 brothers RRC E29339 Lawrence ROSS, E29343 Raymond ROSS and E29341 Leo ROSS. Alger was KIA in the Defence of Hong Kong. His name is on the Sai Wan Memorial and his family has put a HK gravestone marker on their mother’s gravestone in New Brunswick.

Following the Ceremony, the "Ross" siblings placed 3 memory stones in the Park Pathway. In the centre, Mike laid Dad's stone, then Pat and Lana laid one on either side for Raymond and Leo.

Please follow us on Facebook: The Remember November 11 Association for upcoming events. We would love to see you at the Park.

Spread the Word

Are you interested in speaking to groups at local historical societies and museums? Armed forces groups? A group you are a member of?

Groups seem to search for speakers to invite to their meetings. We suggest that you search them out locally if you have this interest. We can help you with the 'words', etc.to share.

Our official association mission is to honour the sacrifices and stories of the Canadian soldiers who served in the Defence of Hong Kong, and to preserve their legacy for future generations. We are committed to achieving this through heart-led actions such as commemorative events, public storytelling via traditional and social media, the placement of commemorative plaques, and the creation and sponsorship of educational materials and initiatives

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