Introduction

During the Second World War, Canadian soldiers were active not only in Europe, but also in the Far East. In 1941, the British, hoping to deter hostile action by Japan, decided to reinforce their outpost in Hong Kong. To help defend the Crown Colony, Canada sent a force of 1,975, consisting of two battalions – the Winnipeg Grenadiers and the Royal Rifles of Canada; a brigade headquarters group; and various specialists details.

What ensued was seventeen and one half days of intense fighting, known as the Battle of Hong Kong. When Allied forces were overrun on Christmas Day, December 25, 1941, those who had survived the battle found themselves in what would become four years of captivity in prisoner-of-war and Japanese work camps.

In recognition of their tremendous sacrifice and critical role in Canada's military history, the Government of Canada has paid tribute to these brave men and women during this, the Year of the Veteran and the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. In August, more than one hundred Veterans from the Far East campaign gathered in Ottawa for national events. In December, the Minister of Veterans Affairs will return to Hong Kong with six Veterans of that campaign.