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Newfoundland and the Second World War (1939-1945)
Did you know that Newfoundland also participated in the Second World War as a British Dominion? While hundreds of Canadian soldiers were, at one time, stationed in Newfoundland to protect against any potential enemy…
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Sonny Castro – The actor of Sham Shui Po
After volunteering to defend the colony of Hong Kong during the Japanese attack in December 1941, Sonny Castro became a memorable character at the prison camps through his impersonations of great actresses.
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The Men of “C” Force: Indigenous Canadians in Hong Kong
While researching for their recent virtual exhibition, “Impossible Odds,” Je Me Souviens had the chance to speak with Ivan Gray, whose grandfather, Patrick Metallic of the Listuguj Mi’gmaq First Nation, fought at the battle…
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The French-speaking soldiers of “C” Force
Thousands of French Canadians served in the Canadian Army during World War II. Among them, many were mobilized into Force C: the Canadian force sent to defend the British colony of Hong Kong. In…
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Canadian Nurses in Hong Kong
Two Canadian nurses accompanied the C-Force sent to Hong Kong in 1941: Kathleen Christie and Anna May Waters. When the colony was captured on December 25, 1941, the two nurses were also taken prisoner.…
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The prisoner of war camps in Hong Kong and Japan
With a 100% casualty rate after the terrible battle of Hong Kong, virtually all of the soldiers in Force C were killed in action. The rest were imprisoned in Japanese camps. However, the hardest…
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Gander – The dog of the “C” Force
It is very common for a regiment to adopt a stray animal as its regimental mascot when its men are deployed. This was notably the case with Gander, who first accompanied the Royal Rifles…
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The final assault on Stanley Village
From the outset, the Battle of Hong Kong, from December 7 to 25, 1945, was considered a losing battle. However, the Canadian soldiers of C Force distinguished themselves many times over in their attempts…
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The Battle at Wong Nai Chung Gap
The Battle of Hong Kong was one of the worst defeats of the Second World War for the Canadian Army. Nevertheless, Canadian soldiers from “C” Force distinguished themselves many times during this terrible confrontation,…
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John K. Lawson – Commander of the C Force
After an illustrious career in the First World War, John K. Lawson established himself as a competent and respected officer in the service of his country. In 1941, faced with a potential Japanese invasion,…
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The “C” Force
“C” Force was the Canadian force assembled to fight in Hong Kong in 1941. This article offers a brief portrait of the regiments that made up this contingent. “C” Force is the name given…
