Service

1939/09/01 - The regiment was mobilised. The Winnipeg Grenadiers (Machine Gun), CASF and redesignated as the 1st Battalion, The Winnipeg Grenadiers (Machine Gun), CASF

1940/05 - Disembarked Vancouver for service in Jamaica and Bermuda.

1940/11/07 - The Winnipeg Grenadiers (Machine Gun), CASF, was redesignated as the 1st Battalion, The Winnipeg Grenadiers, CASF.

1941 - In the Autumn the British government accepted the Canadian Government's offer, to send two infantry battalions (1,975 personnel) to reinforce the Hong Kong garrison.

‘C’ Force was formed comprising of the Royal Rifles of Canada and the Winnipeg Grenadiers

1941 - Members of 'C' Force from the East travelled across Canada by Canadian National Railways picking up reinforcements enroute. Stops included Valcartier, Montreal, Ottawa, Armstrong ON, Capreol ON, Winnipeg, Melville SK, Saskatoon, Edmonton, Jasper, and Vancouver.

1941/10/27 - Arrived Vancouver at 0800 hrs.

1941/10/27 - ‘C’ Force did not have their full equipment as the freighter ‘Don Jose’, was carrying all their vehicles and was diverted to Manila when war began. , sailed from Vancouver aboard the Awatea accompanied by Prince Robert. Awatea was a New Zealand Liner and the Prince Robert was a converted cruiser.

1942/11/16 - Arrived Hong Kong where all of ‘C’ Force was quartered at Nanking Barracks, Sham Shui Po Camp, in Kowloon.

When the Japanese attacked Hong Kong, ‘C’ Force fought with heavy losses in the Battle for Hong Kong.

1941/12/25 - Hong Kong Surrendered

Japanese PoW

1941/12/22 - Captured Kowloon, Hong Kong

Shamshuipo Camp

1942/01/22 - North Point, Hong Kong Island

North Point Camp

1942/01/26 - Kowloon, Hong Kong

Shamshuipo Camp

Manryu Maru - 1920 ship named Huftero, renamed Dageid. 1929 renamed Bordvik. Scuttled Java before surrender. 1942/07/11 Japanese salvaged ship and renamed Manryu Maru

1943/08/15 - Transported Manryu Maru to Japan

Fourth Draft with 473 PoWs

Via Taipei, Taiwan

1943/09/01 - Arrived Osaka, Japan

1943/10/03 - Arrive Niigata-shi, Nuttari

Camp Named - Tokyo POW Camp 5B - Niigata

Work involved - Stevedore labour at port of Niigata (Marutsu), primarily foodstuffs; mining coal (Rinko Coal ) and labour at a foundry (Shintetsu)

1945/09/05 - Liberated, PoWs depart camp by train for Yokohama

Delayed by train accident at Sasago Station on the Chuo (Central) Line

1945/09/06 - Arrived Yokahama 7:00 am

Died

1985/01/21

Cemetery Vancouver BC Canada

Information

Lillian Roesch

Tony Banham - http://www.hongkongwardiary.com/hkwdhome.html

Hong Kong Commemorative Association

http://www.combinedfleet.com/Manryu_t.htm

http://www.mansell.com/pow_resources/camplists/tokyo/niigata-5-b/niigata-5-b-main.htm