C Force
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"C" Force was the Canadian military contingent involved in the Battle of Hong Kong, in December 1941. Members of the force were the first Canadian soldiers to see action in World War II.
In Autumn 1941, the British government accepted the Canadian Government's offer, mediated by a former General Officer Commanding in Hong Kong and Canadian, Major-General A. E. Grasett to send two infantry battalions (1,975 personnel) to reinforce the Hong Kong garrison. The force departed North America on 27 October and arrived 16 November. They did not have their full equipment: a ship carrying all their vehicles was diverted to Manila when war began. The soldiers were still undergoing training and acclimatisation. The major Canadian units involved in the defence of Hong Kong were:
- Winnipeg Grenadiers
- Royal Rifles of Canada
In addition to this the Canadians provided a Brigade HQ. The Canadians were initially positioned on south side of the Island to counter any amphibious landing. Ironically this would mean that when the Japanese invaded the island they were the units called upon to counter attack. On 8 December, Japanese aircraft destroyed a nearly-empty camp at Sham Shui Po where two men of the Royal Canadian Signals were wounded, the first Canadian casualties in the Pacific theatre, and the first Canadian army casualties in combat. On 11 December, the Winnipeg Grenadiers became the first Canadian Army subunit to fight in battle in the Second World War, with D Company acting as a rearguard during the retreat from Kowloon. Private John Grey was killed during the evacuation. It is unknown how he died but guesses have included mobs, fifth columnists, and being executed by the Japanese.
In the subsequent fight for Hong Kong island, the Canadians lost 290 personnel of which 130 were from the Grenadiers. The commander of West Brigade HQ, Brigadier John K. Lawson, was killed. The remaining Canadian soldiers surrendered to the Japanese on Christmas Day.
A Victoria Cross was awarded posthumously to Company Sergeant Major John Robert Osborn of the Winnipeg Grenadiers, who threw himself on top of a grenade, saving the lives of the men around him. A statue of Osborn can also be found in Hong Kong Park. In addition to this two Distinguished Conduct medals, two Distinguished Service orders (one to Colonel P. Hessessy), twelve Military medals, seven Military Crosses were awarded to Canadians. As well 29 Soldiers were mentioned in dispatches.
Surviving Canadian servicemen from this battle formed the Hong Kong Veterans Association. They planted two maple trees in Sham Shui Po Park in memory of their comrades.
