On November 29, 2023 the last surviving Canadian soldier from the Battle of Hong Kong, Hormidas Fredette passed away at the age of 106. The Globe and Mail published an article on his passing which I highly recommend you take a moment to read.
Mr. Fredette served with the Royal Rifles of Canada and took part in the Battle of Hong Kong, alongside the Winnipeg Grenadiers. He spent 44 months as a Prisoner of War in both Hong Kong and Japan.
I have just read “Guest of Hirohito” by Kenneth Gambon M.D., who also served in the Royal Rifles. If you wish to learn more about their experience I recommend his book, a PDF of which is available for free on the “Suggested Reading” page at the Hong Kong Veterans Commemorative Association website. The last quarter of the book includes excerpts from the War Crime Trials, a series of sworn statements documenting Japanese war atrocities against civilians, prisoners (both soldiers and nurses), and the wounded. It makes grim but necessary reading.
Part 2 of my article on Hong Kong Memoirs will be posted in late January however I will publish my 2024 Military TBR (To Be Read) later next week.
Categories: Memoir, POW, Remembrance, Second World War
Doing Our Bit 
Thanks for posting Steve. I have visited the Hong Kong sites and it’s also worth joining the HKVCA at the link you provided to keep the memory alive. Cheers, Glenn
Hi Glenn … thank you. I plan to include another link to the HKVCA in Part 2 of my post. All the best and Happy New Year! Cheers, Steve.
The treatment during the war was horrific. I do remember reading about it. It also comes as no surprise that the government of Canada bailed on them once home. Did the same thing with most soldiers. Look at the Indigenous soldiers from the First World War and how when they returned, they still couldn’t vote. They could die for Canada but not vote.