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Regiment in the Rhineland: The Queens Own Rifles in Operation Blockbuster
The Queens’s Own Rifles were among the regiments that took part in Operation Blockbuster. As part of the 3rd Canadian Division, they played a significant role in clearing the Rhineland of German troops. However, German forces would not leave the Rhineland without a fight and the…
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The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada and Their Heroic Role in the Liberation of Holland
The final months of the Second World War were marked by intense fighting as Allied forces pushed to liberate occupied territories and bring the conflict to an end. Among the many brave Canadian regiments that played a crucial role in these efforts, The Queen’s Own Rifles…
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Force 136: The real story that inspired the picture book Endgame
As an immigrant of Chinese heritage, I assumed there was not much to know about the contributions of Chinese Canadians to early Canadian history beyond the construction of the railroad. However, sometime in the lead up to Remembrance Day in 2017, I learned about Force 136…
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Henry Thomas Shepherd: Canada’s first Black Regimental Sergeant Major
Henry Thomas Shepherd was a remarkable individual. A veteran of both world wars, Henry made history when he became Canada’s first Black Regimental Sergeant Major in 1935. Besides his military achievements, Henry continues to be remembered as a role model and a pillar of the Georgetown…
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Stewart East: A padre who went beyond the call of duty
Few people have the distinction of being called a legend in their lifetime. Stewart East was one of these remarkable individuals.
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The Battle at Wong Nai Chung Gap
The Canadian soldiers of C Force distinguished themselves many times during the Battle of Hong Kong. In this first part of a two-part series, we report on the fighting at Wong Nai Chung Pass.
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The final assault on Stanley Village
The Canadian soldiers of “C” Force showed great distinction often during the Battle of Hong Kong. This last in a two-part series of articles relates the events of the Canadians’ final attack at Stanley Village.
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John K. Lawson – Commander of the “C” Force
After an illustrious career in World War I, Lawson stood out as an ambitious man who wanted to serve his country.
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The “C” Force
A quick portrait of the “C” Force, the Canadians forces that were assembled to fight in Hong Kong in 1941.
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The Regiments of Jubilee in Great Britain (part #2): Garrison Life
The Canadian regiments stationed in Great Britain often had to find unique ways to spend their time. As training only represented some of their duties, they had to find strategies to fill their days while garrisoned for long months.
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The Regiments of Jubilee in Great Britain (part #1) : Training
In preparation for the war in Europe, Canada sent several regiments to be stationed in Britain. There, the men were subjected to intensive training. This article is the first part of a two-part series.
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The Aleutian Island Campaign (1942-1943)
The fighting in the Aleutian Islands is one of the lesser-known fronts of World War II. And yet, just off the coast of Alaska, a major campaign was conducted by the Allies to combat the Japanese occupiers.
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Canadian Nurses in Hong Kong
The story of the two nurses who accompanied the “C” Force to Hong Kong.
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Passing the Time in German Prison Camps (1939-1945)
Passing the time was a very big part of a soldier’s life – almost as big as the war itself. To cope with the boredom, soldiers interred at German prison camps had to show great ingenuity to entertain themselves. This article explores how imprisoned military staff…
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Landing Crafts: The Means of Transport to Dieppe
The Dieppe Raid required numerous types of landing craft. This short article explores some of them!
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Gander – The dog of the “C” Force
More than the mascot of the “C” Force, Gander accompanied the Canadians to Hong Kong and sacrificed himself during the battle.
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Indigenous soldiers in Hong Kong
A few Indigenous soldiers went to Hong Kong to defend the colony. This short article aims to shed light on their journey before and after the battle.
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The prisoner of war camps in Hong Kong and Japan
After the terrible battle of Hong Kong, Canada lost every one of its men. In fact, all soldiers from “C” Force fell either during or after the fighting, as 290 Canadians died, 493 were wounded, and the rest were imprisoned in Japanese camps.
