Roger Cyr
Roger aided his Hong Kong Comrades in many ways in his years of
service. He held many offices, from President of the Quebec Maritime
Branch, to Secretary of the National Council and finally as President of
the National Council of the Hong Kong Veterans Association.
service. He held many offices, from President of the Quebec Maritime
Branch, to Secretary of the National Council and finally as President of
the National Council of the Hong Kong Veterans Association.
His leadership, his dedication to his comrades will be remembered as long
as there is a Hong Kong Veteran alive.
as there is a Hong Kong Veteran alive.
Roger's part in achieving settlement of the claim for slave labour is only
one of his efforts for which we should be grateful.
one of his efforts for which we should be grateful.
One had to admire his ease of expressing himself in French and in English,
and his mastery of both languages served him well, in his chosen vocation
as well as in his untiring efforts on behalf of his fellow Hong Kong
Veterans.
and his mastery of both languages served him well, in his chosen vocation
as well as in his untiring efforts on behalf of his fellow Hong Kong
Veterans.
I am proud to say that I knew Roger from the time we were children in the
small town where we grew up. For both of us, joining the Royal Rifles
was our first venture into the big world.
small town where we grew up. For both of us, joining the Royal Rifles
was our first venture into the big world.
He died in 2001 after a courageous fight against cancer for many years,
undergoing surgery and treatment after treatment for the dread disease.
undergoing surgery and treatment after treatment for the dread disease.
Harry Atkinson
Harry was one of the most dedicated of the National
Presidents. Although we owe huge debts of gratitude to
Sam Kravenchuk, Everett Denison, Charlie Bradie, Ken
Gaudin , Don Nelson, Wally Gray, and many others,
Harry did more than his share in his service to his
comrades.
Presidents. Although we owe huge debts of gratitude to
Sam Kravenchuk, Everett Denison, Charlie Bradie, Ken
Gaudin , Don Nelson, Wally Gray, and many others,
Harry did more than his share in his service to his
comrades.
I have many happy memories of Harry. Two trips to Hong Kong and
Japan (not counting the one in 1941 !) several meetings with Veterans
Affairs officials in Charlottetown, a winter in Victoria, and many social
outings, cooking steaks and lobsters.
Japan (not counting the one in 1941 !) several meetings with Veterans
Affairs officials in Charlottetown, a winter in Victoria, and many social
outings, cooking steaks and lobsters.
Harry was twice National President, a position he held when he died in
Winnipeg in March, 2002.
Winnipeg in March, 2002.
As service officer for the HKVA, he travelled the length and breadth of
Canada to help and comfort those of his comrades who needed advice in
dealing with pension and health problems.
Canada to help and comfort those of his comrades who needed advice in
dealing with pension and health problems.
He was obsessed with the determination to get one hundred percent
pension for all Hong Kong Veterans. It was touching to see him sitting in
the back row of an assembly in Winnipeg when a VAC official announced
the good news. Although it was largely through his efforts that success
was achieved, he didn't want to take the credit.
pension for all Hong Kong Veterans. It was touching to see him sitting in
the back row of an assembly in Winnipeg when a VAC official announced
the good news. Although it was largely through his efforts that success
was achieved, he didn't want to take the credit.
Harry died of lung cancer. A week before he died, he spoke to me from
his hospital bed. As first vice-president, it was my duty to step into his
shoes. I said,"Harry, I'll do my best." He said, "Do your best, and if you
need help, let me know." I'll never forget it.
his hospital bed. As first vice-president, it was my duty to step into his
shoes. I said,"Harry, I'll do my best." He said, "Do your best, and if you
need help, let me know." I'll never forget it.
Lieut. Angus MacMillan
In my view, Angus MacMillan was one of the best officers in the Royal
Rifles. He came to the Regiment when "A" and "D" Companies were in
Botwood, Newfoundland.
Rifles. He came to the Regiment when "A" and "D" Companies were in
Botwood, Newfoundland.
He was placed in charge of 18R Platoon, and although he was new to the
ruffians in "D" Company he soon earned our respect.
ruffians in "D" Company he soon earned our respect.
I had the opportunity of observing him in action, and his fearless
leadership left no doubt in my mind that he was well qualified for the role
in which he served.
leadership left no doubt in my mind that he was well qualified for the role
in which he served.
I associated briefly on a professional basis with Angus after the war, when
he was a teacher at the Quebec High School, a position he held until his
retirement.
he was a teacher at the Quebec High School, a position he held until his
retirement.
After his wife died, Angus moved to Surrey, BC. He suffered a tragic
death, being struck by a car while crossing the street in his wheel chair.
death, being struck by a car while crossing the street in his wheel chair.
Lieut. Elmer Denison
Elmer Denison had been my Grade VIII teacher, and it was huge surprise
to me to meet him as my platoon officer in July, 1940.
to me to meet him as my platoon officer in July, 1940.
Lieut. Denison was well liked by the tough guys in 17 Platoon. He was
good to us, giving us many a break, sometimes undeserved. He earned the
nickname, "Mother Denison", although he was never called that to his
face. If he should read this it will probably be the first time that he has ever
heard of the unique place he held in the hearts of his men.
good to us, giving us many a break, sometimes undeserved. He earned the
nickname, "Mother Denison", although he was never called that to his
face. If he should read this it will probably be the first time that he has ever
heard of the unique place he held in the hearts of his men.
Elmer is still with us. I have heard of him just today, March 4, 2004, when
he sent us a donation to the museum we are building in New Richmond.
Memory of him is one of the treasures of this Hong Kong Veteran.
he sent us a donation to the museum we are building in New Richmond.
Memory of him is one of the treasures of this Hong Kong Veteran.
Elmer's brother Capt. Everett died a few years ago.