News Release

Delegation in Hong Kong to Mark the 60th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Hong Kong Prisoners of War

Hong Kong - Veterans of the short but valiant Battle of Hong Kong are visiting the region of their former battle sites, where many of their comrades who died from the battle, or from disease, neglect and ill treatment afterwards in Japanese prisoner of war camps, are buried or commemorated.

The official Government of Canada delegation includes six Second World War Veterans. The delegation is in Hong Kong to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the Hong Kong prisoners of war. They will participate in a number of commemorative events. Highlights of the journey include:

• Plaque Dedication Ceremony in honour of the Royal Rifles of Canada at the Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence.

• Ceremony of Remembrance at Sai Wan War Cemetery, where 511 Canadians are commemorated.
• More than 200 Canadian students, teachers and parents from the Durham Remembers Group in Ontario will be in Hong Kong for the burial of their "We Remember Hong Kong Memorial Capsule".

• Plaque Dedication Ceremony for two plaques, one in honour of Brigade Headquarters Canadian "C" Force at Lawson's Bunker and another in honour of the Winnipeg Grenadiers at Jardine's Lookout.

• Ceremony of Remembrance at Stanley Military Cemetery, where 20 Canadian soldiers are buried.

Members of the Hong Kong Veterans Commemorative Association (HKVCA) a group comprising 35 family members of Canadian Hong Kong Veterans, are also in Hong Kong to participate in a number of the Canadian ceremonies and events.

Of the 1,975 Canadians who served with a small British garrison in Hong Kong, 290 would die in the hard-fought, 17-day battle. The Allies surrendered on Christmas Day, 1941 and the remaining Canadian troops, including two nursing sisters, were taken prisoners of war. The majority of them would spend nearly four horrific years as prisoners. In all, 264 Canadians died as prisoners of war in Hong Kong and Japan.

For more information on Canada's participation in the defence of Hong Kong and daily updates from overseas, visit the Veterans Affairs Canada web site.

* Dates are local.

2005 is the Year of the Veteran: Celebrate. Honour. Thank. Remember. Teach.

All Other Enquiries:
information@vac-acc.gc.ca