YORKTON — A new plaque to honour the courage and sacrifice of those who served in Hong Kong during the Second World War was dedicated Sunday by the General Alexander Ross Branch No. 77 of the Royal Canadian Legion in Yorkton.
Carol Hadley, representing the Hong Kong Veterans Commemorative Association, explained the significance of the plaque, and the dedication.
“There is a tradition among soldiers, when gathering for special occasions, to remember comrades who fell on the battlefield or who have since died,” she said. “We, of the Hong Kong Veterans Commemorative Association, wish to continue this tradition, to honour our fathers and to remind ourselves of our raison d’être. (or reason for being).”
Hadley noted a table in the centre of the hall with a number of items on it.
“It is covered by a Canadian Flag denoting our allegiance to our country,” she explained.
“The overturned rice bowl, teacup and chopsticks, depict our wishes that all members, of “C” Force and their sacrifice, will never be forgotten.
“The black beret with the Hong Kong patch, show that we pay homage to these veterans. The black ribbon with four poppies, signify our mourning for those who are no longer with us.
“Each poppy has a special significance.
“One, remembers those buried in Sai Wan cemetery, the second those buried in Stanley cemetery, the third those buried in Japan at Yokohama, and the fourth is in memory of those who have died since the cessation of hostilities and lie buried in North American soil.
“The tilted chairs signifies that we have not, nor will not, forget these brave Canadians. There is a set of medals on each chair. One honouring a soldier fallen in battle, the other a comrade who returned, but is no longer with us.
“The medals are awards from a grateful country. Note well the Canadian Volunteer medal – all veterans of Hong Kong volunteered to serve. Note well the Bar it bears. Note well the Victory medal – even in defeat in combat, these veterans were victorious in their actions during the fighting, the struggle to survive the prison camps, and in their battle for health care and pensions after their return to their beloved country. They showed us, their children and subsequent generations, the importance they attached to their way of life and to our freedom.”
The plaque itself contains information on the Hong Kong campaign, and local Legion president Brittany Johnson said it will be installed soon at a yet to be determined location in the city.
“Today’s plaque serves not only as a marker of history but also as a symbol of our ongoing commitment: to never forget the bravery, resilience, and sacrifice of those who defended freedom under the most difficult of circumstances,” she said.
Johnson then gave background on the Canadian effort in Hong Kong.
“In the Second World War, Canadian soldiers first engaged in battle while defending the British Crown Colony of Hong Kong against a Japanese attack in December of ’41,” she explained. “The Canadians at Hong Kong fought against overwhelming odds and displayed the courage of seasoned veterans, though most had limited military training. They had virtually no chance of victory, but refused to surrender until they were overrun by the enemy. Those who survived the battle became prisoners of war (POWs) and many endured torture and starvation by their Japanese captors.”
The Canadian contingent was comprised of 1,975 soldiers, which also included two medical officers, two Nursing Sisters, two officers of the Canadian Dental Core with their assistants, three chaplains, two Auxiliary Service Officers, and a detachment of the Canadian Postal Core. There was also one military stowaway who was sent back to Canada.
“The defense of Hong Kong was made at a great human cost,” said Johnson.
“Approximately 290 Canadian soldiers were killed in battle and, while in captivity, approximately 264 more died as POWs, for a total death toll of 554. In addition, almost 500 Canadians were wounded.
“Of the 1,975 Canadians who went to Hong Kong, more than 1,050 were either killed or wounded. This was a casualty rate of more than 50 per cent, arguably one of the highest casualty rates of any Canadian theatre of action in the Second World War.”
Among those involved were three with a Yorkton area connection: Mike Bilyk, Alvin Zaharychuk, and Nicholas Charuk.
“Mike Bilyk was born on Sept. 25, 1920,” said Johnson. “During WWII Mike served with the 1st Bn of The Winnipeg Grenadiers and held the rank of Private. He enlisted with the Winnipeg Grenadiers September 27, 1939. As a member of the “C” force Mike was picked up as part of the CNR troop train arriving in Vancouver on October 27, and then shipped to Hong Kong arriving November 16, 1941. Mike was wounded on December 20, 1941 and captured while in hospital and then released from hospital on August 9, 1942. Mike spent the remainder of the war in POW camps in Hong Kong, then being transferred to the Omine prisoner coal mining camp in Japan on January 22nd of ‘43. Mike, along with 687 other POW’s from various countries, was liberated at the end of the war and returned to Canada on October 27 of ‘45. Mike passed away July 28, 1950 and is laid to rest in the Canora, SK cemetery.
“Signalman Alvin Zaharychuk was born in the Beaver Plain School District (Arran, SK) to Anton and Anastasia on August 19, 1917. He volunteered in the Canadian Armed Forces on July 1, 1940 as part of the Princess Patricia Regiment which recruited from Winnipeg and Vancouver Island. Completing basic training in Fort Osborne Barracks in Winnipeg, Alvin then took special training in signalling in Kingston, ON. After training he joined the Winnipeg Grenadiers. In October of ‘41 he boarded the CNR troop train and then sailed to Hong Kong landing in November. On December 25th of ‘41 Alvin was captured as a POW. He was placed in several camps, including over two years at the Tsurumi Camp in Yokohama, Japan doing slave labor in the production of ships. After heavy bombing he was moved to the Ohashi Camp where he was among 198 Canadian soldiers liberated in September 1945. Upon returning to Canada, he lived in Stenen, SK helping his parents run the King George Hotel. Alvin married Anne Slapinski in ‘47 and they had two children, Cliff and Sharon. Alvin served in the community as postmaster until his retirement and was involved in the village counsel and Ukrainian Catholic Church. Alvin passed away May 24, 2011 and was laid to rest in the Yorkton Memorial Garden Cemetery, SK.
“Lance Corporal Nicholas John Charuk was born on June 10, 1911 to John and Sophie near Canora SK. Nicholas was a Winnipeg Grenadier who was sent to Jamaica along with many of his comrades before sailing to Asia in October of ’41. John was wounded on December of 1941 and was also captured while in hospital. Nick spent time at three different POW camps in Hong Kong before be transferred to the POW labour camp in Japan, where they focused mainly on mining coal. Nicholas did not get the chance to return home because he succumbed to acute pneumonia while a POW in Japan on Nov. 30th of ’43. Nicholas is interred at the Yokohama War Cemetery in Japan. Nick is commemorated on page 145 of the Book of Remembrance and a lake in Manitoba is named in his memory.”
The Hong Kong Veterans Commemorative Association has a website hkvca.ca which contains further information, veteran biographies, pilgrimage opportunities and countless references.
“For those who are interested in learning more about the time Canadians spent in Hong Kong and as POWs in Japan, Philip Cracknel’s ‘Battle for Hong Kong’ is a compelling read,” said Johnson.
