Remembering the War Dead

Hong Kong war veterans make their way among the tombstones

As a Canadian who has lived in Hong Kong on and off for 15 years I am embarrassed to say I only visited the Sai Wan War Cemetery today! This is where 228 Canadian soldiers were buried following the Battle of Hong Kong in December 1941.

They have been remembered ever year for the past 71 years since 1947, and today was no different.

The Canadian Consulate organizes the event every year and I was invited this time and jumped at the chance to visit the place and take part in the Canadian Commemorative Ceremony that is held on the first Sunday of December.

It meant waking up extra early to catch the shuttle bus in front of the General Post Office, but that is nothing compared to the sacrifice these soldiers made 77 years ago.

Veteran Peter Choi at 96 years of age

Originally the Japanese were allies of the British, but as the Japanese were occupying various Asian countries, there were concerns Hong Kong would be next.

To defend the British colony, Canada sent 1,975 soldiers from two battalions, the Royal Rifles of Canada and the Winnipeg Grenadiers, who sailed from Vancouver to Hong Kong on October 27, 1941.

They came to Hong Kong not knowing much about the place and immediately went about training and adapting to their new environment -- but they didn't have much time to prepare.

In the early morning of December 8, 1941, the Battle of Hong Kong erupted and the Canadian soldiers fought for 17 and a half days, but the Japanese were no match for them and Hong Kong surrendered on Christmas Day.

In the end 290 Canadian soldiers lost their lives defending Hong Kong, and 269 died as prisoners of war, making the total number of deaths at 559, and another 500 wounded. That means of the 1,975 Canadian soldiers who were sent to Hong Kong, 1,059 were either killed or wounded -- making this casualty rate one of the highest ones in any Canadian theatre of action during World War II.

The bus ride to the cemetery was very fast -- about 15 minutes and we had an hour to look around before the ceremony started. There was an exhibition of old photographs showing the Canadian soldiers in Hong Kong, out in the field training.

A number of wreaths were laid during the ceremony

One in particular shows a group of soldiers around a black sheepdog called Sergeant Gander who was the Royal Rifles of Canada's mascot. He was so loyal to the soldiers that he even died in battle on December 19, 1941.

During a Japanese attack, Gander picked up a grenade that had landed next to a group of soldiers and carried it away. It exploded and killed Gander instantly. He was posthumously awarded the Dickin Medal that honours animals who made great contributions during wartime.

There are 2,000 people buried here. Some of the Canadian tombstones do not have names, and if they do, they are soldiers who died mostly in their 20s. There are also British soldiers who were also in their 20s and 30s who are buried here, and there are plaques that recognize the Indians who fought in Hong Kong.

Meanwhile for the ceremony, there were many Hongkongers dressed in navy blue blazers, including Peter Choi, who I interviewed three years ago. He still looks good for 96! He is one of the last surviving soldiers who fought in the Battle of Hong Kong.

A soldier's grave decorated with poppy and flag

I made it down the stairs to where the ceremony would be held, and just before 10am, a single bagpiper performed for about 15 minutes as he led the procession of vets, including Choi, down the stairs.

Among the prayers, salutes and two minutes of silence, the Canadian Consul General Jeff Nankivell, who also speaks Cantonese and Mandarin, gave a bilingual speech in English and French. One remark he made was that these soldiers who died never became a teacher or builder, or become fathers and husbands, grandfathers, that they made this sacrifice for us.

His speech was followed by the laying of wreaths by a number of government and consular officials, veteran groups and community associations. Along with Choi, there was another elderly vet who fought in World War II and he was escorted by a representative from the Canadian Armed Forces.

We finally sang O Canada, which took on a very poignant meaning, and then the ceremony was over.

It was nice to see a good turnout, very young children to people in their 90s, and many students participated in the ceremony. What a beautiful day to come out and take time to reflect and remember those who sacrificed their lives to protect this city.