Flash Clayton and Phil
This was taken in
2000 in front of the
sign of St, Stephen's
College where the
Christmas Day
massacre took place.
Flash was in the
emergency hospital at
the time because of
wounds sustained
earlier and narrowly
escaped being killed.
2000 in front of the
sign of St, Stephen's
College where the
Christmas Day
massacre took place.
Flash was in the
emergency hospital at
the time because of
wounds sustained
earlier and narrowly
escaped being killed.
Pat Poirier
Pat lives in
Montreal and is a
regular at all our
reunions. Pat
played in the
Regimental band
and was also a
nurse. He has
written and
account of his
experiences.
Montreal and is a
regular at all our
reunions. Pat
played in the
Regimental band
and was also a
nurse. He has
written and
account of his
experiences.
Henry Lyons
Henry was a member
of 17 Platoon. He
and I were together
throughout prison
camp.and still see
each other often.
of 17 Platoon. He
and I were together
throughout prison
camp.and still see
each other often.
Henry served as Regional Director of
the Q-M Branch for many years.
the Q-M Branch for many years.
This picture was
taken just after a
moving experience on
the steps of the
College in which Al
Babin and Flash
recounted the story
of the massacre.
taken just after a
moving experience on
the steps of the
College in which Al
Babin and Flash
recounted the story
of the massacre.
The massacre was one of the most horrific episodes
in the whole invasion of the Colony. I lost good
friends who were killed at St. Stephens,among
them, Bill Fallow and Euclid Cyr.
in the whole invasion of the Colony. I lost good
friends who were killed at St. Stephens,among
them, Bill Fallow and Euclid Cyr.
Flash and Ossie
Flash and Ossie were both sergeants in the RRC.
Flash and wife Jessie have always been faithful
attendees at our reunions. Flash always acts as
parade marshall, a time when his happy manner
and story telling are put aside and he demands
strict discipline and respectful attention to the
parade and the cenotaph ceremony.He has
influenced some beneficial changes in the Hong
Kong Veterans Association.
Flash and wife Jessie have always been faithful
attendees at our reunions. Flash always acts as
parade marshall, a time when his happy manner
and story telling are put aside and he demands
strict discipline and respectful attention to the
parade and the cenotaph ceremony.He has
influenced some beneficial changes in the Hong
Kong Veterans Association.
Ossie Clark is an old friend from days when we both worked in Sept-Iles.
Since then we have carried on the friendship through the
Quebec-Maritimes Branch where he has held many offices up to first
vice-president.
Since then we have carried on the friendship through the
Quebec-Maritimes Branch where he has held many offices up to first
vice-president.
Ossie has worked untiringly for the welfare of his Hong Kong
Comrades.If he isn't running a raffle, he has some other scheme going to
raise funds to help those in need.
Comrades.If he isn't running a raffle, he has some other scheme going to
raise funds to help those in need.
He has held many positions in the Royal Canadian Legion and is one of
the main supporters of the Lennoxville Branch of the Army, Navy, and
Air Force Association.
the main supporters of the Lennoxville Branch of the Army, Navy, and
Air Force Association.
In My Mind's Eye
There are a thousand other pictures of comrades who shared those evil
days from December, 1941 to Augist 1945. Those cherished pictures
exist for me only in my memory. They will be there as long as I live.
days from December, 1941 to Augist 1945. Those cherished pictures
exist for me only in my memory. They will be there as long as I live.
Ed Rodrigues was from St. Kitts Island in the Carribean. I remember the
long walks we used to take up and down the main road in ShamShuiPo.
long walks we used to take up and down the main road in ShamShuiPo.
Tommy Thompson was from Shoal Lake, Manitoba. We became friends
while we were patient/orderlies in the hospital in ShamShuiPo.
while we were patient/orderlies in the hospital in ShamShuiPo.
Joe and Jim Furey were from Manitoba. Joe died in Japan, Jim survived
and returned to Canada. He died several years ago.
and returned to Canada. He died several years ago.
Omar Runnels. We called him "The Greek". Why, I don't know. He
was a unique character. Laughing with him helped to pass many hours.
was a unique character. Laughing with him helped to pass many hours.
Glyn Chipping was also a patient in the hospital. Associating with him
helped to influence me to return to school after liberation. I still see him
now and then at reunions in Winnipeg.
helped to influence me to return to school after liberation. I still see him
now and then at reunions in Winnipeg.
Bert Woodman also spent the years of imprisonment in ShamShuiPo.
He had been wounded at Repulse Bay and bore the scar on the back
of his neck the rest of his life. In the POW camp he used to sharpen
blades for Dr. Ashton-Rose for performing operations.
He had been wounded at Repulse Bay and bore the scar on the back
of his neck the rest of his life. In the POW camp he used to sharpen
blades for Dr. Ashton-Rose for performing operations.
Most of these friends have long since gone to their individual rewards.
Whatever that may be, " We will remember them."
Whatever that may be, " We will remember them."