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.
placed a total 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
other 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.
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.
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.
of the 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.
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.
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.
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.
But those men who gave of themselves to get recognition for their Hong
Kong comrades must be acknowledged for their efforts.
Kong 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.
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.
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.
leisure time 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
every Hong Kong Vet, attendance allowance and exceptional incapacity
allowance. We are extremely grateful
