Hong Kong - A Ceremony of Remembrance was conducted today at the Sai Wan Cemetery to honour the 511 Canadians who are buried and commemorated there. The Official Government of Canada delegation, including six Second World War Veterans, was joined by the Honourable Vivienne Poy, member of the Senate of Canada, more than 200 youth and several Hong Kong officials and representatives.
"Your presence gives special meaning to our commemorations", said Senator Poy, addressing the young people present. "You remind us that however dark the past, our hope for the future remains bright. There is no greater example of liberation than the freedom of youth."
During the ceremony, Canadian students from the Durham Remembers Group in Ontario and Scouts from the 1st Canadian-Hong Kong Scout Group placed a poppy on each of the 283 Canadian graves, while Cadets from the Hong Kong Adventure Corps were on sentry at the Cross of Sacrifice.
After the ceremony, the Government of Canada delegation joined the group of more than 200 high school students, teachers and family members from the Durham Remembers Group who buried their "We Remember Hong Kong Memorial Capsule" near the entrance of the cemetery.
The ceremony at Sai Wan Cemetery was the signature event of the Hong Kong journey overseas. While in Hong Kong, the Government of Canada delegation also attended a plaque dedication ceremony in honour of the Royal Rifles of Canada at the Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence on December 3. Events to come are:
December 5*
A 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.
December 6*
A Ceremony of Remembrance at Stanley Military Cemetery, where 20 Canadian soldiers are buried.
It was in Hong Kong that Canadians first saw action in the Pacific Theatre. Nearly 2,000 in number, they consisted of one battalion each from the Royal Rifles of Canada and the Winnipeg Grenadiers as well as a Brigade Headquarters group. After a 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. Of the 1,975 Canadians who served in Hong Kong, 290 would die in battle while an additional 264 died afterwards in prisoner-of-war camps.
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.
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Media Enquiries:
Janice Summerby
Media Relations Advisor
Veterans Affairs Canada
(613) 992-7468
All Other Enquiries:information@vac-acc.gc.ca
