Overdue Payment
In 1941, when we left to go to Hong Kong, our commanding officer placed a total
of 260 Pounds Sterling in a safety deposit box in the Hong Kong-Shanghai
Banking Corporation.
of 260 Pounds Sterling in a safety deposit box in the Hong Kong-Shanghai
Banking Corporation.
This fund had been established to purchase extras, such as badges and other
insignia. After the war it had been forgotten
insignia. After the war it had been forgotten
In 1995, Captain Lionel Hurd, who had been Regimental Quartermaster, and one
of his acquaintances in the banking business, uncovered the oversight, and
together they were able to follow the trail to a successful conclusion.
of his acquaintances in the banking business, uncovered the oversight, and
together they were able to follow the trail to a successful conclusion.
The result was that Lionel and his friend were able to retrieve the money.
$538.71, the Canadian equivalent of the original deposit, and $1636.71,
representing the interest, was turned over to Lionel's care by the Bank of
Montreal in Lionel's home town, Sawyerville, Quebec.
$538.71, the Canadian equivalent of the original deposit, and $1636.71,
representing the interest, was turned over to Lionel's care by the Bank of
Montreal in Lionel's home town, Sawyerville, Quebec.
The Bank of Montreal then hosted a dinner for the Hong Kong Veterans of the
area, and Lionel turned over the money to the Quebec-Maritimes Branch of the
Hong Kong Veterans Association.
area, and Lionel turned over the money to the Quebec-Maritimes Branch of the
Hong Kong Veterans Association.
The copy of the cheque noted here represents one step in the total transaction.
This action on Lionel's part is typical of his service to the men in his sphere of
responsibility, and his dedication to the trust placed in him.
This action on Lionel's part is typical of his service to the men in his sphere of
responsibility, and his dedication to the trust placed in him.
Giants in the Association
When we first returned to Canada, it was widely believed that we were losers,
which, in a sense we were. Our back pay which had accumulated while we were
in custody of the Japanese was given to us, but nothing much in the way of special
treatment was offered.
which, in a sense we were. Our back pay which had accumulated while we were
in custody of the Japanese was given to us, but nothing much in the way of special
treatment was offered.
But those men who gave of themselves to get recognition for their Hong Kong
comrades must be acknowledged for their efforts.
comrades must be acknowledged for their efforts.
I must confess that in the early days after the war, I was scrambling to get an
education, and didn't have contact with many Hong Kong Veterans.I therefore did
not contribute to the establishment of the Hong Kong Veterans Association, and it
was only in later years that I became actively involved.
education, and didn't have contact with many Hong Kong Veterans.I therefore did
not contribute to the establishment of the Hong Kong Veterans Association, and it
was only in later years that I became actively involved.
At this point I should name those who spent countless hours of their leisure time
and money out of their own pockets to create an organization to help needy Hong
Kong Veterans.
and money out of their own pockets to create an organization to help needy Hong
Kong Veterans.
I will risk omitting some important names of those who went before, men who had
the foresight to create an organization dedicated to the welfare of Hong Kong
Veterans. By naming the more recent ones here, I hope I do not offend anyone.
the foresight to create an organization dedicated to the welfare of Hong Kong
Veterans. By naming the more recent ones here, I hope I do not offend anyone.
H. Clifford Chadderton, CC, O.Ont.,OStJ,CLJ,CAE,DCL, LLD
I have to start with Cliff Chadderton, who, although he is
not a Hong Kong Vet, is one of the best friends we have
ever had.
not a Hong Kong Vet, is one of the best friends we have
ever had.
Cliff is CEO of the War Amps of Canada, Chairman of the
National Council of Veterans Associations, of which,
including the Hong Kong Veterans Association, there are
some forty-five associations.
National Council of Veterans Associations, of which,
including the Hong Kong Veterans Association, there are
some forty-five associations.
Cliff lost a leg in the invasion of Europe, and has been limping around on an
artificial one ever since. He is in his eighties now, like many of us, but he keeps
going. He is involved in more things than many men half his age.
artificial one ever since. He is in his eighties now, like many of us, but he keeps
going. He is involved in more things than many men half his age.
Cliff is Patron of the Hong Kong Veterans Association, and also Patron of the
Hong Kong Veterans Commemorative Association. He willingly joins us at our
reunions or at any function that he believes will be of assistance to us.
Hong Kong Veterans Commemorative Association. He willingly joins us at our
reunions or at any function that he believes will be of assistance to us.
When all seemed lost in the struggle to wrest pay for slave labour from the hands
of the Japanese government, after we had been sold down the river by the
Government of Canada in1952, Cliff never gave up in his battle for settlement of
our claim, finally convincing Ottawa to settle.
of the Japanese government, after we had been sold down the river by the
Government of Canada in1952, Cliff never gave up in his battle for settlement of
our claim, finally convincing Ottawa to settle.
Cliff and his efficient and sympathetic staff at WAR amps, also obtained for every
Hong Kong Vet, attendance allowance and exceptional incapacity allowance. We
are extremely grateful
Hong Kong Vet, attendance allowance and exceptional incapacity allowance. We
are extremely grateful
