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Swan River, Manitoba Wednesday, August 16, 199528This Issue - 32 Pages50c Per CopyP.S.T. G.S.T. INCLUDED!!Victory over Japan uay observed by the VaiieySrVMMNMIZone Commander Bill C Members at the Cenotapby Shirley RossOn Saturday, August 12th, 1995, members of the Royal Canadian Legion and Auxiliaries of the Swan River Valley assembled at the Legion Hall, to parade to the Cenotaph at 6:00 p. m and observe the laying of a wreath to honor veterans of World War II who fought to defend Hong Kong in December, 1941. The ceremony was held in observance of “Victory Over Japan Day” on August 14th, 1945.Sergeant-at-Arms Doug Hinchliffeled the Royal Canadian Legion Colour Party. They were followed by veterans, auxiliary members, and four cadets of Swan Valley Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron #519. Cecil Coupland, Benito, was Parade Commander. The parade route was down Sixth Avenue to the Cenotaph on Second Street North.A wreath was placed by veteran Garfield Lowe, of Mafeking, who was with the Winnipeg Grenadiers and fought in the battle for Hong Kong. He was accompanied by BillCoupland, Royal Canadian Legion Zone Commander. Norman Broome, of Swan River, another Hong Kong veteran, was unable to attend the ceremonies. They were held as prisoners-of-war from December, 1941 to August, 1945.The Colours were dipped and the playing of “The Last Post” was heard,followed by a minute of silence. Garfield Lowe took the salute as the parade did a march pass at the Cenotaph. Veterans unable to walk the parade route were driven in cars supplied by members of the ShrinersClub of Swan River.The observance of “V-J Day” was the result of planning by the “CanadaRemembers . . .” 50th Anniversary Committee. The six Royal Canadian Legions and Auxiliaries in the Valley have united and worked togetherover the past year in an effort to make this event a special tribute recognizing the service and sacrifice of the menwho went from this Valley and fought for Hong Kong in 1941.The committee was headed by Fred Sigurdson. Hugh Hornbeck, secretary, stated that the co-operation between all Royal Canadian Legion members has been tremendous and as a result, the celebration of this unique anniversary has been very successful. It has clearly demonstrated the determination of each member to promote this extraordinary milestone.At the conclusion of the wreath-laying ceremony, the parade returnedmember of the Winnipeg Grenadiers who fought to defend Hong Kong, andand (L), took the salute from the March Pass of Roval Canadian I PninnHong Kong veteran Garfield Lowe, (L) of Mafeking, laid the wreath at the Cenotaph in Swan River last Saturday tomembers of the Winnipeg Grenadiers atobserve the supreme sacrifice madeTor Mong Kong and as a result of imprisonment Commander Bill Coupland (R) accompanied Mrto the Legion Club Rooms where Chairman Fred Sigurdson introduced Hong Kong veteran, Garfield Lowe. He was honored with a standing ovation.The men and women ot the Kenville Hall Board were in charge of the barbecue. Well over 100 persons were in attendance.The hall was suitably decorated with posters listing the names of the campaigns in which the Canadians had participated. War cartoons by Ruth Iwanchuk were also on display. A dance followed the dinner.Judy Preston, of Russell, Manitoba, read a poem called - “Prisoners of War”. It was dedicated to her father, Riley Erwin Prieston, and her uncles, William Prieston, killed at Hong Kong, and Ed Eggie. All three were members of the Winnipeg Grenadiers.Marg McKay, u member of the 50th Anniversary Committee, noted that there were a number of vehicles who had failed to pull over and stop during the parade by Legion members to the Cenotaph. The publicshould be made aware that it shows acomplete lack of respect for the veterans of World War 11.She read a letter which told of “V-E Day” celebrations in Holland. The Dutch children have been taught about Canadian veterans and what they sacrificed in order to free that country.During the observance of the fiftiethanniversary on May 8th, they were anxious to show their gratitude. In Canada much of the younger generation has no knowledge of the veterans who fought and died in Europe and Hong Kong, and some have to ask -“Who won the war?”The Hong Kong veterans were members made up from two infantry battalions and belonged to no division at all. The Royal Rifles of Canadafrom Quebec, under Lt. Col. W. J. Home, had served garrison duty inAfter nearly 1700 were taken pris oner on Christmas Day, 1941, 121 died from conditions in the camps oi the island of Hong Kong.Four prisoners were shot withou trial after being caught while tryingto escape. A diphtheria epidemic ir 1942 took 50 lives, because of the refusal for proper medical facilities by the Japanese.Many prisoners were kept on HongKong until 1943. Of the Canadianswho remained, 1184 were taken tcJapan and forced to work in minesand shipyards, where conditions wertso bad that another 136 prisoners died.The Hong Kong Veterans of Canada have never received com*Newfoundland and the Winnipeg pensation they claim from the JapaGrenadiers had just returned from nese for the slave labour they en garrison duty in the West Indies, un- dured nor have they even received ,der Lt. Col. J. L. R. Sutcliffe. The entire force of 1975 men, which included brigade headquarters, a sig-apologytawa recently, the new decoration fo Heroism and Endurance - a Sil venals section and other specialists, was ^ar ‘or Veterans in the Defence cunder Brig. J. K. Lawson.Hong Kong in December, of 1941 was presented by a representative oI heir departure and destination was the Canadian government to a numbea secret and they sailed into one of the of veterans gathered there.most improbable events in the history of World War II.Continued on Page 2A
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Swan Valley Star and Times
Swan River, Manitoba, CA
Wed, Aug 16, 1995
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CA 02 Feb 2021
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