Association
of Canada
Manitoba Branch
April, May, June, 2000
Box 381, Winnipeg, MB
R3C 2H6
Editor:
Carol Hadley, (204) 837-6754
Fax (204) 477-7189
Email:
cahadley@videon.wave.ca
Spring is here!!
|
What wonderful weather we are having this
year.
It’s hard to believe that we only
missed golfing for a couple of months .
The Pilgrimage to Hong Kong is
progressing well as you will read a little further along.
The Commemorative Association has plans
well in hand for the Convention 2001.
The Vets and the Commemorative have a
good working relationship across Canada so that the merging of the 2 bodies is
progressing well.
More
to come ….
-
George Peterson
The latest that I have heard re: the
up-coming trip back to Hong Kong is that 19 Hong Kong Veterans have indicated
their willingness to participate.
This
is a remarkable figure considering that there are only 300 Hong Kong survivors
left out of the original 1975 Canadians who made up “C” Force and sailed to
Hong Kong on October 27
th
1941.
May they all stay well and enjoy their trip along with many relatives
and friends.
I am sorry to report another of our
family left us to join our departed comrades in the Great Beyond.
I had a phone call from Vancouver March 20
th
to say that Ex. Sgt. Bill Laidlaw passed away.
May he rest in Peace.
Everything is under control re: the
handing over of our Branches affairs, etc. to the Commemorative Association.
This being accomplished in a smooth and
business like manner.
May everyone enjoy a good and
healthy summer.
Any problems – please
don’t hesitate to call and we will continue to do our best to find the answers
for you.
Greetings to all
members!! We really appreciate receiving the dues and donations you have been
sending us over the past few months, particularly those that were sent a
reminder and responded by forwarding two years' memberships. Sorry about the
mix-up with the widows and the Commemorative Association but we ask that you
bear with us during this time of transition. The important thing is that we
keep you on our mailing list, as we sure don't want to lose touch! The Manitoba
newsletter is sent to all members, whether you are in the H.K.V.A. and/or the
Commemorative Association. All dues are sent to me, with Veterans being
assessed $15.00 per year and Associates $7.50. The fees for the Commemorative
Association have been increased to $15.00 and now cover the calendar year.
Don't worry, we'll get it all straightened out in due course!!
Received a nice note
from
Donalda Munn
of Winnipeg along
with a donation in memory of her husband, Art Munn…..Lovely Christmas cards
from
Mona Zane
and family in
Carlsbad, California,
John Pollock
in West Hill, Ontario and
George
Edgecombe
in Mount Morris,
Michigan…..Thoughtful note from
Florence
Wiebe
of West St. Paul, MB, along with dues for two years. Florence has
been fighting the flu but passes on her best for the New Year to
everyone…..Greetings received from
Jessie
Gard
on behalf of
Fred
along
with two years' membership dues…..
Leon
Sokalski
of Gravenhurst, Ontario, is surely keeping up with his bookwork as
cheques were received for both HK and Commemorative
Associations…..Wow--terrific note and photo from
Gordon & Louise McLellan
in Escondido, California. Photo of the
handsome couple was taken on Gordon's 80
th
birthday--still going
strong!!…..Appreciate the note from
Mary
Anderson
in Emerson, MB, along with dues and donation. Hope you're feeling
better, Mary!!…..Thanks to
Laura Birch
who took the time to send us a donation, all the way from Ventura,
California…..Terrific note from
Bill
Nicholson
in Tempe, Arizona, along with two years' dues and a generous donation.
Thanks Bill!!…..Appreciate the stamps from
Gloria
Sokalski
who sent them along with a nice note and 2001 dues…..Very special
mention to
Jean Curtis
for her
generous donation and kind words of support for the H.K. Commemorative
Association…..Another terrific note from
Mona
Zane
in California who sends
greetings to all Grenadiers, with a wish for health and happiness throughout
the year…..Enjoyed receiving a generous contribution and cheerful note from
Alvin Zaharychuk
of Stenen,
Saskatchewan …..Appreciate the note from
May
Broome
regarding the passing of her husband Norman, and relocation to Swan
River. Our best regards to May and her family…..
George and Kathleen Belcourt
say hello to all from Strasbourg,
Saskatchewan. They write that they are doing well and will celebrate their 60
th
anniversary on April 15. Congrats!!!…..Thanks to
Alice Harris
in Swan River for the note that came with her dues.
Sorry to hear of your health problems but wish you well with your battles…..
Thelma Lajeunesse
of Keewatin, Ontario,
notes that
Regis
is still at home
and his condition is unchanged as he remains paralyzed…..At 93 years of age,
Maude Crawford
of Ottawa sounds as
bright as a dollar!! She passes along greetings to all, particularly Bert
Delbridge who she remembers from a Hong Kong trip years ago.
That's it for now.
Keep the cards, letters, cheques, money orders…whatever… coming, and we'll do
our best to see that your organization continues to move ahead and keeps you
informed.
V
p;
Bill
Laidlaw passed away March 19, 2000
We will remember them
.
The first mailing to those people who are going to Hong Kong/Japan went out in the later part of March. There will be 19 vets, 5 widows, and 36 others making the journey. All people from across Canada will be meeting in Vancouver and travelling on together.
We had 12 sites identified to place plaques in Hong Kong, however some sites no longer exist; have buildings over them; or are now privately owned. Therefore the 3 sites agreed upon are: #1. Brigade Headquarters Bunker. #2. Pillbox on the lower side of Jardine’s lookout. And #3. The Lye Yue Mun site.
There will be several more mail outs detailing the itinerary and any other pertinent information …. So stay tuned, if you are involved in this trip.
Sometimes we
get returned mail and it usually because it has been forgotten to notify us of
a move.
We want to stay in touch with
everyone --- so I will post names, periodically and if anyone knows something
about these people – please let me know.
Here is the first name:
Bernice Kitt from Kamloops
In discussion with Gerry
Mabley of Winnipeg
May, 1997
Gerry Mabley was born in Kelwood, Manitoba, 81 years
ago. He spent his youth in that small town and fondly remembers growing up in a
quiet rural setting.
With the outbreak of hostilities in 1939, he joined
the Winnipeg Grenadiers and shortly thereafter the entire Regiment was sent to
Jamaica for Garrison duty. This posting lasted for 16 months and in 1941, they
returned to Canada for preparation for their assignment to Hong Kong.
Following the war, there was a period of settling back
into civilian life but also a deep desire to keep in touch with the comrades
from the Regiment. Thus in late 1947 or early 1948, the first meeting of the
Winnipeg Hong Kong Veterans was held in the War Amps Hall at Langside and
Portage. The main floor of the building was occupied by the Manitoba Liquor
Commission with the meeting rooms upstairs, later to become the Club Morocco.
The first executive was formed that night with Jack
Norris (Capt.) as president. Unfortunately, Jack would pass away during his
first term in office. Other members of this initial executive included Freddy
Adams, Paddy Keenan, Alec McFayden, Charlie Watson, Bob Boyd and Gerry Mabley
as secretary.
The group was to be kept on the move as far as meeting
locations were concerned and the following year they assembled at 194 Main
Street, known as the Winnipeg Grenadier Building (Reserve). Next, they met at
the Guards Club, just off Portage Avenue, followed by quarters at the Free
Press Building.
It was at the Free Press location that the first Hong
Kong Veterans Association newsletter was published, but it was done by Charlie
Watson, a hard line Communist and without the permission of the rest of the
members. The newsletter was filled with Communist propaganda and the group was
severely taken to task by all who read it. Charlie, of course, was asked to
take his campaigning elsewhere and he did. Today he and Gerry Mabley are the
only living members of the original executive.
Remaining on the move, the HKVA then met at the Duke
of Kent Legion, followed by the ANAF on Young Street and finally the ANAF on
Ellice Avenue.
The main instigator for forming a national
association, however, was Charlie Clark of Toronto. The Hong Kong Vets from
Eastern Canada belonged to the Royal Rifles of Canada and Brigade while those
from the West were with the Winnipeg Grenadiers and Brigade. It wasn’t until
1956 that a truly national organisation took shape when Gerry Mabley, Bert
Delbridge
and Swede Olcen representing the West, went to Toronto and met at the Royal
York Hotel with Charlie Clark, Johnnie Stroud, Wally Gray and Colin Standish of
the Royal Rifles. Here the first close ties between East and West were
established and with the leadership of Charlie Clark, a truly national
organisation was born. The two groups got along famously and lifetime
friendships were formed. The real fun began when a national reunion was held in
Edmonton in the 1960's and that camaraderie continues to this day.
Another occasion of note also took place in Edmonton
at a reunion in the 1980's. George Porteous, an officer with the YMCA attached
to the Grenadiers, had gone on to become Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan
and was attending the reunion in the capacity of a veteran. At one of the
functions, he was seated at the head table with the serving Lieutenant Governor
of Alberta and it is believed to be the first time the two L.G’s had met on any
kind of a formal basis. Also, George Porteous was the first Native Canadian to
be appointed Lieut. Governor.
Past Presidents of the Manitoba Chapter who have been
very active in Association affairs include Bert Delbridge, Robby Ashton, Harry
Atkinson and Art Lousier. All held office for many years and have devoted much
of their life to the affairs of the Hong Kong Veterans Association.
While the Association was originally formed for
the purpose of keeping in touch, many causes came up over the years--first
overall in nature but later individual challenges that needed to be dealt with.
As Gerry states, the group was made up of many characters, which he fondly
refers to as “loveable scallywags”. It sounds like there are many stories that
can be told but won’t!
Gerry Mabley joined the Manitoba Government after the
war and worked in the Land Titles Office until his retirement in 1974. He then
moved to British Columbia but returned to Winnipeg in 1990. As much as he likes
his home province, he is realistic about the weather and returns to B.C. each
winter. Gerry keeps in touch with Bob Ferguson, a school teacher in Neepawa,
Manitoba, who collects memorabilia from the Grenadiers’ action in Hong Kong and
has it on display in the Neepawa Legion. Speaking of Neepawa, Len Seaborn, who
lives there and is known for his fabulous woodworking skills, is 87 years young
and is likely now the oldest Grenadier in Manitoba. The oldest Hong Kong
veteran in Canada, however, is “The Old Warrior” Lionel Hird of the Royal
Rifles in Quebec who turned 91 this year.
Gerry has given most of his mementos to the school in
his hometown of Kelwood but stays active and in touch by retaining membership
in B.C. and Quebec & Maritimes Branches as well as the Manitoba Branch of
the Hong Kong Veterans Association. He attended the 50th Reunion in Ottawa in
1991 and enjoys as many social events as time and health permit. He tells us
that almost all the vets believe the Association is Great!! and it has battled
through many issues on their behalf. Recommended reading on Hong Kong includes
“
No
Reason Why”
and “
To Hell and Back”.
Written by Barry
Mitchell following a meeting with Gerry Mabley on May 26, 1997. Gerry passed
away in 1999. This history was first printed in the national H.K. Veterans'
Commemorative newsletter and is being reproduced for the interest of all
Manitoba members.
I received a call from Bob Ferguson from Neepawa, friend of Len Seaborn . He is looking for a photo of Headquarters Company and D Company to complete the Winnipeg Grenadiers display in their Legion. He will return the original after making a copy. So hopefully someone will be able to help him out. He also mentioned that Len is doing well and has recently turned 91 years of age. Way to go Len!!
Pat & Bill Maltman will be selling their place in Arizona and re-locating. Bill has had trouble breathing this past winter with all the smog. Good luck to them with the re-locating and hope to see them soon.
Jim Moar from The Pas, was in hospital, hopefully he is home now.
Lillian Bjornson of Selkirk, (sister of George Townsend, H6135) accompanied by her daughter, has gone on an early pilgrimage to Japan to visit George’s grave.
It was nice to see Bill Pople , out to the monthly lunch. His sister-in-law and her husband, Dorothy & Don McKay from Elm Creek, brought him in from Carman for the lunch. Unfortunately there weren’t too many fellows out this time. Hopefully the usual crew were away on cruises, etc and not laid up sick. With the nice weather back - maybe there will be more at the April lunch – if you are not out golfing.
I received a letter from the Last Post Fund informing us of the election of their new President, Len Johansson, a Korean Vet. He replaces Art Christensen, who held the office since 1984. If you need information from the Last Post Fund their number is (204) 233-3073. The Last Post Fund is committed to ensure all veteran’s are afforded a decent funeral and burial which covers most costs of the funeral service, gravesite and a standard military marker. They will come out to any veteran group and explain the history, eligibility and financial criteria of the Fund at no cost – just send a letter with dates and times. Address is 51 St. Annes Rd, Winnipeg, MB R2M 2Y4.
The Deer Lodge Foundation hosted an informative week March 21 – 23, 2000. There were many interesting speakers about long term care and displays of the activities that are run there. The Foundation committee enjoy taking people on tours of the facility and are most appreciative of the funds that are donated to assist them in continuing in their efforts. The HKVA in Manitoba are supporters of the Foundation.
- by Julie Lafortune
Well - Spring is finally here. The winter wasn’t too bad and I hope you all fared well.
I would like to thank our anonymous donor for the fax machine. It sure came at a good time.
Remember this is a new year and you need a new membership. It is now $15.00.
We, of the Commemorative Association are working hard toward the “Big Convention in 2001”. We need as many people as possible to help, so no one will get over worked.
Welcome to the following people
who have joined our Board and become active members:
Louise Horst, Jodi Fast,
and Todd Lytle.
The following dates for the HKVCA meetings at John Osborn, Empress & Ellice are - May 16 th – June 20 th – July 11 th at 7 p.m. Please come down, all are welcome.
Happy Birthday to Borge Agerbak, best wishes were extended to him at our previous meeting, March 21 st .
Don’t forget to let us know of other birthdays, anniversaries or other information you would like to pass on – just call the following:
Julie Lafortune – 338-3354
Carol Hadley – 837-6754
Barry Mitchell – 269-1497
Lora Wachtendorf – 1-204-388-6536
J J J J
Crests
($20.00
)
for blazers are available.
They are a
military type crest, very distinguished. Monument HK markers
($48.75
) are available, also.
These are mounted on the grave stone - the
marker is metal and coated in a heavy-duty red enamel with white HK emblazoned
on it.
The package has a registration
inside that should be sent to Ottawa to be archived.
They can be purchased from
Lora Wachtendorf (1-204-388-6536).
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F.Y.I.: The Commemorative Association hold an on-line meeting the last Thursday of every month. We started in January – a little slow with procedures in a chat room – but we are getting more proficient as we progress.
In February it was Moved/Seconded by Juliet Lafortune, Regional Director of Manitoba/Lucette Muir-Mailhot, Regional Director of Quebec “that the annual membership period for the Hong Kong Veterans’ Commemorative Association be the twelve consecutive months from January 1 st to December 31 st of each year”. This will coincide with the Vets and be an advantage for the Treasurers that deal with both groups.
We are still busy setting up the Region Boards west of Manitoba and will keep you informed on how that is progressing.
Arthur Gomes from Hong Kong sends me his newsletter regularly and they are most informative. In the most recent newsletter was an article about the Royal British Legion having a ‘ Visit of Remembrance’ , November 16 th – 26 th , 2000. Just before the Canadian Pilgrimage 2000. Too bad the visits didn’t coincide, - it would be nice to meet these people.
I appreciate George Peterson sharing his Quebec-Maritimes
newsletter with me.
It helps me keep
you informed of the news from down East.
We
are saddened by the passing of
Lawrence
Rattie,
Membership Chair of the Quebec-Maritimes Branch on March 9
th
,
2000.
Our sympathy to Sheila and her
family.
Roger Cyr
has done another
survey of the
surviving HK vets and as of January 14, 2000
- there are 303, distributed as follows:
Nova Scotia – 6, New Brunswick – 21, Quebec – 55, Ontario – 75,
Manitoba – 53, Saskatchewan – 6, Alberta – 19, British Columbia 52 and USA –
10.
The
book
, “The Royal Rifles of Canada in
Hong Kong”
is out of print, however they would like to do another printing
but need to pre-sell 200 books to be cost effective.
Anyone wanting one of these books, please contact
Phil Dodderidge at 418-392-5838 or email
Humour
I received
some more chuckles from Bill Nicholson in Arizona:
-
Politicians are like polkas.
They have different names but they all sound the same.
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Maybe more people would make their mark if they
didn’t spend so much time trying to erase their mistakes.
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People are like feet.
Every heel deserves a good sock.
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-
You can always spot a well-informed person, they
have the same opinion you do.
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And some jokes from
others …
-
A man walks into a Psychiatrist's office wearing
nothing but Saran Wrap.
The Psychiatrist says "Well, I can clearly
see your nuts."
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HOW
TO IDENTIFY WHERE A DRIVER IS FROM:
1. One hand on wheel, one hand on horn: MONTREAL
2. One hand on wheel, one finger out window:
TORONTO
3. One hand on wheel, one finger out window,
cutting across all lanes of traffic:
OTTAWA
4. One hand on wheel, one hand on newspaper,
foot solidly on accelerator:
BOSTON
5. One hand on wheel, one hand on non-fat double
decaf cappuccino, cradling cell phone, brick on accelerator, gun on lap:
LOS ANGELES
6. Both hands on wheel, eyes shut, both feet on
brake, quivering in terror:
SASKATOON,
but driving in TORONTO
7. Both hands in air, gesturing, both feet on
accelerator, head turned to talk to someone in the back seat:
QUEBEC CITY
8. One
hand on 12 oz. double shot latte, one knee on wheel, cradling cell phone, foot
on brake, mind on radio game, banging head on steering wheel while stuck in
traffic:
VANCOUVER
9. One
hand on wheel, one hand on hunting rifle, alternating between both feet being
on the brake and both feet on the accelerator, throwing a McDonald's bag out
the window:
RED DEER
10. Four wheel drive pick-up truck, shotgun
mounted in rear window, beer cans on the floor, raccoon tails attached to the
antenna:
PRINCE GEORGE
11. Two hands gripping wheel, blue hair barely
visible above windshield driving 40 km/hr on Hwy 1 in the left lane with the
left blinker on:
VICTORIA
AND THE BEST ONE OF ALL:
12. One ski-do mitt on steering wheel, one ski-do mitt, scraper in hand, out
front window scraping frost, Guess Who on the 8-track playing Share The Land,
hockey equipment smelling up car interior, waiting at lights for snow removal
equipment to finish clearing intersection:
WINNIPEG
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-
A young man wanted to get his beautiful blonde
wife something nice
for their first
wedding anniversary. So he decides to buy
her a cell
phone. She is all
excited, she loves her phone. He explains to her all the features on the
phone.
The next day the
blonde goes shopping. Her phone rings and
it's her husband, "Hi hon, "he
says, "how do you like your new phone?"
"I just love it,
it's so small and your voice is clear as a bell but there's one
thing I
don't understand. How did you
know I was at Wal
Mart?"
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W ords of Wisdom
· Remember: The ark was built by amateurs. Professionals built the Titanic.
· Conscience is what hurts when everything else feels good.
· Love is grand. Divorce is a hundred grand.
· Politicians and diapers have one thing in common. They both should be changed regularly, and for the same reason.
· An optimist thinks that this is the best possible world. A pessimist fears that this is true.
· There are two things we can be sure of: death and taxes. However, death doesn't get worse every year.
· In just two days, tomorrow will be yesterday.
· Dijon Vu: The same mustard as you had before.
· I have kleptomania. But when it gets really bad, I take something for it.
· People will accept your ideas much more readily if you tell them that Benjamin Franklin said it first.
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Poem by WE. Jeffrey in Kingston, Jamaica, 1941
I hope some day that I’ll go back
When
this bloomin’ war is over,
And
settle down in a little shack
No more I’ll be a
rover.
I’ll cultivate some peas and corn
And raise some pigs
and cattle
And rise up early
every morn
Nor dream of strife
and battle.
I’ll find the girl I left behind
They tell me she is
still single
And if she hasn’t
changed her mind
The wedding bells will
jingle.
And when we come to the end of the trail
And twilight closes
o’er us,
I know she’ll help to
set the sail
For the voyage that
lies before us.
April 13, May 11 -
lunch at
Rae & Jerry’s on Portage Ave
,
near
Polo Park
.
Hope
to see you there.
*Monthly lunches are
the second Thursday of each month*
June
15, 2000 is the semi-annual meeting at John Osborn at 1:30 p.m.
, Ellice and Empress
.
HKVCA
will hold meetings
May
16
th
– June 20
th
– July 11
th
2000 at 7 p.m at John Osborn, ANAF
- Empress at Ellice.
Military Ball,
Saturday, April 15, 2000 at CROWN PLAZA, tickets
$65.00/person.
Your
Executive
-YOUR BRANCH
COUNCIL PHONE NUMBERS - KEEP THEM HANDY:
George Peterson
256-7174
Borge Agerbak
897-3213
Roy Robinson
256-3756
Carol Hadley, Secrtry/Newsletter
837-6754
Barry Mitchell, Trsrer/Mmbrshp
269-1497
Gerald McArthur, Liaison Officer
338-1356
Terence Jackson, Memorials
452-1460
Harold Atkinson, Nat’l President 1-613-392-8074