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.
His leadership, his dedication to his comrades will be remembered as long
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 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.
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.
He died in 2001 after a courageous fight against cancer for many years,
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.
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.
Harry was twice National President, a position he held when he died in 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.
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.
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.
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.
He was placed in charge of 18R Platoon, and although he was new to the 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Elmer's brother Capt. Everett died a few years ago.