| Preface |
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Attempting to write an accurate account of an historical event which took place
sixty years ago is difficult. The facts are without colour to bring the story to life.
The facts supplied by eyewitness accounts vary. If the facts vary in the eye of the
beholder, then so do the colours, writing the history is made even more difficult.
The sad fact is that there are few eyewitnesses left to add their facts and brush
strokes of colour to the blood soaked canvass on which the battle of Hong Kong
was painted over 60 years ago on December 7th., 1941.
I have used my father's memories which he wrote with painstaking care and
attention to detail. My father was Major Maurice Albert Parker, Commander of
"D" Company, the Royal Rifles of Canada. He was there on December 7th.,
1941. He spoke little of his ordeal, at least not to me, but he wrote about the
battle, and the years of captivity which followed. He spoke more about the 44
months in prisoner of war camp than he did of the battle. I think that the memories
he would have had to drag up were too painful to recall. His truth comes, like
everyone else's, from his perspective.
I have also gone to many other sources to gather material. Obviously I have not
been the first at any well. Those who seek facts go to every well available. One
well of information is much the same as any other. The perspective changes giving
the story different colours.
What I have attempted to do is put the facts in chronological order and to add to
the facts supplied the colours seen by those whose personal accounts are
chronicled here.
This is for my Dad. I hope I've got it right.
sixty years ago is difficult. The facts are without colour to bring the story to life.
The facts supplied by eyewitness accounts vary. If the facts vary in the eye of the
beholder, then so do the colours, writing the history is made even more difficult.
The sad fact is that there are few eyewitnesses left to add their facts and brush
strokes of colour to the blood soaked canvass on which the battle of Hong Kong
was painted over 60 years ago on December 7th., 1941.
I have used my father's memories which he wrote with painstaking care and
attention to detail. My father was Major Maurice Albert Parker, Commander of
"D" Company, the Royal Rifles of Canada. He was there on December 7th.,
1941. He spoke little of his ordeal, at least not to me, but he wrote about the
battle, and the years of captivity which followed. He spoke more about the 44
months in prisoner of war camp than he did of the battle. I think that the memories
he would have had to drag up were too painful to recall. His truth comes, like
everyone else's, from his perspective.
I have also gone to many other sources to gather material. Obviously I have not
been the first at any well. Those who seek facts go to every well available. One
well of information is much the same as any other. The perspective changes giving
the story different colours.
What I have attempted to do is put the facts in chronological order and to add to
the facts supplied the colours seen by those whose personal accounts are
chronicled here.
This is for my Dad. I hope I've got it right.
