| Page 28 |
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 Click related sites See a list of other books on The Battle of Hong Kong. BOOKS ON THE BATTLE OF HONG KONG Post you comments |
A Partial Photo Gallery. If you have any photos you would
like posted please email them to rcwp2000@yahoo.ca
like posted please email them to rcwp2000@yahoo.ca
Major Maurice A. Parker
Company Commander "D" Company,
The Royal Rifles of Canada.
Company Commander "D" Company,
The Royal Rifles of Canada.
Philip Doddridge, Company Clerk of
"D" Company who after the war became
a teacher and school principal.
"D" Company who after the war became
a teacher and school principal.
Lieut. C. A. Blaver
Dr. Stanley Martin Banfill
Medical Corpsman Alfred Babin
In battle he was Fearless He sized up
every situation quickly and reacted
with speed and accuracy. He was a
crack shot. He connected at 800
yards, a distance at which the figure of a
man is totally obscured by the
front sight of a Lee Enfield. He probably
accounted for as many Japanese
causalities as the whole platoon put
together I shared some space briefly
with Lance in North Point Camp. He
was still analysing the campaign and
figuring out what went wrong with the
defence. (Written by Phil Doddridge)
every situation quickly and reacted
with speed and accuracy. He was a
crack shot. He connected at 800
yards, a distance at which the figure of a
man is totally obscured by the
front sight of a Lee Enfield. He probably
accounted for as many Japanese
causalities as the whole platoon put
together I shared some space briefly
with Lance in North Point Camp. He
was still analysing the campaign and
figuring out what went wrong with the
defence. (Written by Phil Doddridge)
Sgt. Lance Ross, RRoC
Back row. Left to right ... Sgt. Gordon Kerr, Artie Perreault, Unknown,
Maj. Maurice Parker, George MacDonell, Percy Willett, CSM Bert Holt
. Front row, kneeling, Crandal Irvine*, kia, Gordon Irvine**, kia
Maj. Maurice Parker, George MacDonell, Percy Willett, CSM Bert Holt
. Front row, kneeling, Crandal Irvine*, kia, Gordon Irvine**, kia
| Taken in Gander, Newfoundland, winter of 1941. Left to right, J.D. Irvine, Phil Doddridge, Barney Haley |
Byron Willet, Maj. Parker's
batman. The two men held each
other in high regard.
batman. The two men held each
other in high regard.
Gander,
A soldier's best friend. We must not forget the
magnificent Newfoundland dog, Sgt. Gander, who
outgrew his family in Newfoundland and became
our mascot. Like others of his breed he was a huge,
gentle, lovable animal, a favourite of all the men in
the Regiment. He was looked after by his handler
Fred Kelly but I think he had love enough to go
around as he showed great affection for all of us.
As Regimental Mascot he went everywhere with
us, including Hong Kong.
A soldier's best friend. We must not forget the
magnificent Newfoundland dog, Sgt. Gander, who
outgrew his family in Newfoundland and became
our mascot. Like others of his breed he was a huge,
gentle, lovable animal, a favourite of all the men in
the Regiment. He was looked after by his handler
Fred Kelly but I think he had love enough to go
around as he showed great affection for all of us.
As Regimental Mascot he went everywhere with
us, including Hong Kong.
Gander died in Hong Kong defending the men he loved. He was a very
brave dog. Three of his acts of courage are recorded. As the Japanese
were landing on the beach at Lye Mun Gander rushed at them barking
and biting at their legs. Another time some injured Canadians were lying,
under cover, by the road as a group of Japanese advanced towards them.
Gander charged at them causing them to change direction thus saving the
Canadians. His last act of gallantry cost him his life. During heavy fighting a
Japanese grenade landed close to some troops. Gander picked up the
grenade on the run and continued away from the soldiers. The grenade
exploded ending Gander's life. He was awarded the Dickin Medal
for,"acts of conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in wartime." Fred
Kelly was the happiest man alive when he was chosen to receive the
medal honouring Gander.
brave dog. Three of his acts of courage are recorded. As the Japanese
were landing on the beach at Lye Mun Gander rushed at them barking
and biting at their legs. Another time some injured Canadians were lying,
under cover, by the road as a group of Japanese advanced towards them.
Gander charged at them causing them to change direction thus saving the
Canadians. His last act of gallantry cost him his life. During heavy fighting a
Japanese grenade landed close to some troops. Gander picked up the
grenade on the run and continued away from the soldiers. The grenade
exploded ending Gander's life. He was awarded the Dickin Medal
for,"acts of conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in wartime." Fred
Kelly was the happiest man alive when he was chosen to receive the
medal honouring Gander.
| The Dickin Medal. Also known as the Victoria Cross for animals |
Alfred Babin has the elegent bearing of a
career soldier. His perfect posture and
trim physique make him look taller than
he really is and much younger than his
years. In manner and grooming he is the
epitome of a gentleman, and every inch a
soldier.Mr. Babin was born in Moncton,
New Brunswick on October 15, 1921.
On September 2, 1939, Babin had
joined the Canadian Army. He joined a
Moncton based Infantry Regiment called
the New Brunswick Rangers, and
became Infantryman Alfred Babin, serial
number G27036.
career soldier. His perfect posture and
trim physique make him look taller than
he really is and much younger than his
years. In manner and grooming he is the
epitome of a gentleman, and every inch a
soldier.Mr. Babin was born in Moncton,
New Brunswick on October 15, 1921.
On September 2, 1939, Babin had
joined the Canadian Army. He joined a
Moncton based Infantry Regiment called
the New Brunswick Rangers, and
became Infantryman Alfred Babin, serial
number G27036.
Dr. Ken Cambon died on February 23, 2007. He left behind his wife Dr. Eileen Nason Cambon, his daughters Noreen and
Marie, his grandson Harrison, grand daughter, Sybrand, and brother Austen. He was a remarkable man. Who else but a
remarkable man could accomplish so much in life after enduring the unendurable. He went on to become a doctor and to write
an inspiring book, Guest of Hirohito. Given the circumstance the book was written with humour, and showed a man of great
courage. I wish I had met him. More.
Marie, his grandson Harrison, grand daughter, Sybrand, and brother Austen. He was a remarkable man. Who else but a
remarkable man could accomplish so much in life after enduring the unendurable. He went on to become a doctor and to write
an inspiring book, Guest of Hirohito. Given the circumstance the book was written with humour, and showed a man of great
courage. I wish I had met him. More.
Company Sergeant-Major (Warrant Officer Class II) John Robert Osborn
died on December 19, 1941, defending British garrison of Hong Kong
against Japanese attack. While fighting with small numbers of his unit, The
Winnipeg Grenadiers, Osborn repeatedly showed great acts of heroism,
including attacking the enemy single-handedly. On several occasions he
picked up and threw back Japanese grenades that had landed in Canadian
positions. When he was unable to return one of these grenades, he threw
himself on it and was killed instantly. Company Sergeant-Major Osborn was
awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions that day.
died on December 19, 1941, defending British garrison of Hong Kong
against Japanese attack. While fighting with small numbers of his unit, The
Winnipeg Grenadiers, Osborn repeatedly showed great acts of heroism,
including attacking the enemy single-handedly. On several occasions he
picked up and threw back Japanese grenades that had landed in Canadian
positions. When he was unable to return one of these grenades, he threw
himself on it and was killed instantly. Company Sergeant-Major Osborn was
awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions that day.
The letter shown was written by
Osborn to his children April 9, 1941,
while The Winnipeg Grenadiers were in
Jamaica training for future operations.
Letter by John Robert Osborn to his
son Gerald dated 19410409.
(19950061-014) Click Here
Osborn to his children April 9, 1941,
while The Winnipeg Grenadiers were in
Jamaica training for future operations.
Letter by John Robert Osborn to his
son Gerald dated 19410409.
(19950061-014) Click Here
Col. Harry Atkinson
Both Battalions selected, The Royal Rifles of Canada and The Winnipeg
Grenadiers, were placed under the unified command of recently promoted
Canadian Brigadier J.K. Lawson from Ottawa, Ontario, who, by odd
coincidence, had been assigned the task of writing the combat fitness
reports on various units in the Canadian Army. He had judged both the
Royal Rifles and the Grenadiers as unfit. Now ... he was their
Commanding Officer.
Grenadiers, were placed under the unified command of recently promoted
Canadian Brigadier J.K. Lawson from Ottawa, Ontario, who, by odd
coincidence, had been assigned the task of writing the combat fitness
reports on various units in the Canadian Army. He had judged both the
Royal Rifles and the Grenadiers as unfit. Now ... he was their
Commanding Officer.
Company Sargent-major John Robert Osborn VC
Major-General Maltby (left) GOC HK talking to Brigadier Lawson
Commanding Officer of the Canadian Forces
Commanding Officer of the Canadian Forces
Brigadier John K. Lawson
BISHOP, Wells Arnold, Major, DSO ED
| Brigadier Cedric Wallis 1896 - 1996 |
Brigadier Cedric Wallis
There is no doubt that Brigadier Wallis was a brave man, a fine man who
dedicated his life to the service of his country for decades with honour. It is,
therefore, difficult to understand his behaviour during the final hours of the
battle. He became, in the minds of senior Canadian officers, "rattled".
While in a Japanese POW camp Wallis would accuse the Canadians in his war
diary of what was tantamount to dereliction of duty and cowardice in the face
of the enemy, or that he decided against having their Canadian commander,
Lieutenant-Colonel William Home, shot for staging "a bloodless mutiny"
because doing so would require the shooting of other Canadian officers, all
because Home had implored Wallis to pull the badly depleted and exhausted
Rifles back to defencive positions. Sadly, he was referring to the last charge
made against the Japanese made by D Company, The Royal Rifles of Canada,
and my Dad. Ironically Lt.R.H. Challoner of The Hong Kong and Singapore
Royal Artillery described the attack as, "the last glorious charge as the
Canadians .." A book by Nathan Greenfield, The Damned, refutes Wallis'
claims. To purchase the book click on here.
There is no doubt that Brigadier Wallis was a brave man, a fine man who
dedicated his life to the service of his country for decades with honour. It is,
therefore, difficult to understand his behaviour during the final hours of the
battle. He became, in the minds of senior Canadian officers, "rattled".
While in a Japanese POW camp Wallis would accuse the Canadians in his war
diary of what was tantamount to dereliction of duty and cowardice in the face
of the enemy, or that he decided against having their Canadian commander,
Lieutenant-Colonel William Home, shot for staging "a bloodless mutiny"
because doing so would require the shooting of other Canadian officers, all
because Home had implored Wallis to pull the badly depleted and exhausted
Rifles back to defencive positions. Sadly, he was referring to the last charge
made against the Japanese made by D Company, The Royal Rifles of Canada,
and my Dad. Ironically Lt.R.H. Challoner of The Hong Kong and Singapore
Royal Artillery described the attack as, "the last glorious charge as the
Canadians .." A book by Nathan Greenfield, The Damned, refutes Wallis'
claims. To purchase the book click on here.
was born in Selkirk, Manitoba. He
leaves to mourn his passing his two sons
Dennis (Rene) of Edmonton, AB, and
Bill (Angie) of Winnipeg; his two
daughters Lori (Doug) Smith of London,
ON, and Pat Atkinson (Garry) of
Winnipeg, MB, and daughter-in-law
Linda; his grandchildren Christopher
(Michael), Jennifer (Paul), Kelly,
Michael, Amy and Kyle; his special
companion Marge Dwyer and her
family; numerous nieces, nephews, other
family and a host of friends. Harry was
predeceased by his two sisters and one
brother.
leaves to mourn his passing his two sons
Dennis (Rene) of Edmonton, AB, and
Bill (Angie) of Winnipeg; his two
daughters Lori (Doug) Smith of London,
ON, and Pat Atkinson (Garry) of
Winnipeg, MB, and daughter-in-law
Linda; his grandchildren Christopher
(Michael), Jennifer (Paul), Kelly,
Michael, Amy and Kyle; his special
companion Marge Dwyer and her
family; numerous nieces, nephews, other
family and a host of friends. Harry was
predeceased by his two sisters and one
brother.
