C Force
Encyclopedia
"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:
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.
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DECORATIONS AWARDED TO 'C' FORCE SOLDIERS
Soldiers of ‘C’ Force were awarded a total of 100 decorations. The following table shows the unit, the decoration and the number awarded.
Decoration descriptions
In order of precedence descriptions are as follows:
VC - Victoria Cross
DSO - Distinguished Service Order
OBE - Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire
MBE - Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire
MC - Military Cross
ARRC - Associate of the Royal Red Cross
DCM - Distinguished Conduct Medal
MM - Military Medal
BEM - British Empire Medal
DM - Dickin Medal
MiD - Mentioned in Despatches
References for the above awards
Canada Gazette, 44 10 January, No. 10, Vol. 78, p2404
Canada Gazette, 46 08 April, No. 14, Vol. 80, p2066
Canada Gazette, 46 15 June, No. 24, Vol. 80, p2404
London Gazette, 48 20 February, No. 38212, p1175
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Surviving Canadian servicemen from this battle formed the Hong Kong Veterans Association. In December 1991 they planted two maple trees in Sham Shui Po Park
in memory of their comrades.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
military contingent involved in the Battle of Hong Kong
Battle of Hong Kong
The Battle of Hong Kong took place during the Pacific campaign of World War II. It began on 8 December 1941 and ended on 25 December 1941 with Hong Kong, then a Crown colony, surrendering to the Empire of Japan.-Background:...
, in December 1941. Members of the force were the first Canadian soldiers to see action in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
In Autumn 1941, the British government accepted the Canadian Government's offer, mediated by a former General Officer Commanding
General Officer Commanding
General Officer Commanding is the usual title given in the armies of Commonwealth nations to a general officer who holds a command appointment. Thus, a general might be the GOC II Corps or GOC 7th Armoured Division...
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:
- The Winnipeg GrenadiersThe Winnipeg GrenadiersThe Winnipeg Grenadiers was an infantry regiment of the Canadian Army formed on 1st April 1908 under General Order No. 20. Initially it was raised with Headquarters at Morden, Manitoba and companies at: ‘A’ Company at Morden, ‘B’ Company at Morden, ‘C’ Company at Manitou, ‘D’ Company at Carmen,‘E’...
- The 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
John K. Lawson
Brigadier John Kelburne Lawson MC was the senior Canadian officer and commander of the West Brigade during the Battle of Hong Kong...
, was killed. The remaining Canadian soldiers surrendered to the Japanese on Christmas Day.
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DECORATIONS AWARDED TO 'C' FORCE SOLDIERS
Soldiers of ‘C’ Force were awarded a total of 100 decorations. The following table shows the unit, the decoration and the number awarded.
| Regiment | Decoration | Number Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian Auxiliary Service | MBE | 1 |
| Canadian Auxilairy Service | MiD | 1 |
| Canadian Chaplains Service | MC | 1 |
| Canadian Chaplains Service | MiD | 1 |
| Royal Canadian Dental Corps Royal Canadian Dental Corps The Royal Canadian Dental Corps was an administrative corps of the Canadian Army. The Canadian Dental Corps was authorized on 31 Aug 1939. The Regular and Reserve components of the Canadian Dental Corps were collectively redesignated The Royal Canadian Dental Corps on 15 Jan 1947... |
MiD | 1 |
| Royal Canadian Postal Corps Royal Canadian Postal Corps For successor see Logistics BranchThe Royal Canadian Postal Corps was an administrative corps of the Canadian Army. The Canadian Postal Corps was redesignated the Royal Canadian Postal Corps on 20 Jun 1961. The crest of the Royal Canadian Postal Corps consists of a horn, with a Queen's Crown on... |
DCM | 1 |
| Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps | MBE | 3 |
| Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps | ARRC | 2 |
| Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps | MiD | 1 |
| Royal Canadian Corps of Signals | DCM | 1 |
| Royal Canadian Corps of Signals | MM | 1 |
| Royal Canadian Corps of Signals | BEM | 1 |
| Royal Canadian Corps of Signals | MiD | 2 |
| Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps | MM | 1 |
| The Royal Rifles of Canada | DSO | 1 |
| The Royal Rifles of Canada | OBE | 1 |
| The Royal Rifles of Canada | MBE | 2 |
| The Royal Rifles of Canada | MC | 1 |
| The Royal Rifles of Canada | DCM | 1 |
| The Royal Rifles of Canada | MM | 6 |
| The Royal Rifles of Canada | DM | 1 |
| The Royal Rifles of Canada | MiD | 28 |
| The Winnipeg Grenadiers | VC | 1 |
| The Winnipeg Grenadiers | DSO | 1 |
| The Winnipeg Grenadiers | MC | 3 |
| The Winnipeg Grenadiers | DCM | 1 |
| The Winnipeg Grenadiers | MM | 5 |
| The Winnipeg Grenadiers | BEM | 2 |
| The Winnipeg Grenadiers | MiD | 26 |
Decoration descriptions
In order of precedence descriptions are as follows:
VC - Victoria Cross
DSO - Distinguished Service Order
OBE - Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire
MBE - Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire
MC - Military Cross
ARRC - Associate of the Royal Red Cross
DCM - Distinguished Conduct Medal
MM - Military Medal
BEM - British Empire Medal
DM - Dickin Medal
Dickin Medal
The Dickin Medal was instituted in 1943 in the United Kingdom by Maria Dickin to honour the work of animals in war. It is a bronze medallion, bearing the words "For Gallantry" and "We Also Serve" within a laurel wreath, carried on a ribbon of striped green, dark brown and pale blue...
MiD - Mentioned in Despatches
References for the above awards
Canada Gazette, 44 10 January, No. 10, Vol. 78, p2404
Canada Gazette, 46 08 April, No. 14, Vol. 80, p2066
Canada Gazette, 46 15 June, No. 24, Vol. 80, p2404
London Gazette, 48 20 February, No. 38212, p1175
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Surviving Canadian servicemen from this battle formed the Hong Kong Veterans Association. In December 1991 they planted two maple trees in Sham Shui Po Park
Sham Shui Po Park
Sham Shui Po Park is a park in Sham Shui Po, Kowloon, Hong Kong. It is located at Lai Chi Kok Road, adjacent to Sham Shui Po Park Swimming Pool and Ka Ling School of the Precious Blood. It is accessible from Lai Chi Kok Road and Yee Kuk Street.-Memorial:The park is close to the former Sham Shui...
in memory of their comrades.