On Parliament Hill

Most Canadians know about Canada’s role in the Second World War: the disaster of Dieppe, followed by victories in the Italian Campaign, at Juno Beach, and in Holland. But long before Canada’s army saw action in Europe, they were at the forefront of the little-known battle for Hong Kong.

In early 1941, a Canadian force made up of the Winnipeg Grenadiers and the Royal Rifles of Canada were sent to help the British reinforce the Island of Hong Kong. 1,973 Canadian soldiers, as well as two female nurses, arrived on the Island on November 16th.

Three weeks later, on December 8th – a mere six hours after the surprise bombing of US naval forces at Pearl Harbour – Japan attacked the island of Hong Kong.

The Canadian garrison had limited supplies, no air support, and their vehicles had been diverted to Manila for use by US Forces. Japanese forces were attacking all over the pacific theatre. No help was coming.

Battle hardened Japanese troops quickly overran British and Indian defenders and on December 11th the men of “D” company of the Winnipeg Grenadiers became the first Canadian soldiers to engage in combat in WWII.

After five days, nearby Kowloon and the rest of the mainland had fallen to the Japanese, leaving only the Island garrison. Japan demanded the surrounded Canadian forces surrender. The Canadians refused.

On December 18th, just after dark, an overwhelming force of nearly 30,000 Japanese troops landed on the Island.

After 18 days of brutal combat, the Canadians had run out of ammunition and supplies. They, reluctantly, surrendered to the Japanese on Christmas Day.

290 Canadians were killed at Hong Kong and 493 were wounded.

For those who survived the battle, the horrors were just beginning. Japanese soldiers carried out a campaign of terror, sacking the city and committing countless atrocities against the inhabitants and surviving soldiers.

Those who survived would spend the next four years living in indescribable conditions in Japanese POW camps. They were forced into slave labour, working 12 hours a day in mines and on the docks, subsisting on less than 800 calories per day. Another 264 Canadians would die of starvation, illness, and violence at the hands of their captors.

Miraculously, 1,418 men survived and returned to Canada – though they would never be the same.

Hong Kong veterans had to fight for years for the recognition they felt they deserved for their sacrifice. It was not until 1998 that surviving veterans and their families were finally compensated for their time in captivity.

On December 8th, 70 years to the day of the attack, Japan officially apologized to Canadian Hong Kong veterans for their mistreatment as POW’s.

This week, 80 years since the month Canadian troops landed in Hong Kong, I am pleased to join Canadians in remembering their sacrifice.

On Remembrance Day we solemnly recall and commemorate the sacrifice of all those who have served in the uniform of Canada.

To all the Canadians who have served in our armed forces, and their families, thank you for your service. Your sacrifice for Canada will not be forgotten.