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A Partial Photo Gallery. If you have any photos you would
like posted please emial them to rcwp2000@yahoo.ca
like posted please emial them to rcwp2000@yahoo.ca
Major Maurice A. Parker
Company Commander "D" Company,
The Royal Rifles of Canada.
Company Commander "D" Company,
The Royal Rifles of Canada.
Philip Doddridge, Company Clerk of
"D" Company who after the war became
a teacher and school principal.
"D" Company who after the war became
a teacher and school principal.
Lieut. C. A. Blaver
Dr. Stanley Martin Banfill
Medical Corpsman Alfred Babin
In battle he was Fearless He sized up
every situation quickly and reacted
with speed and accuracy. He was a
crack shot. He connected at 800
yards, a distance at which the figure of a
man is totally obscured by the
front sight of a Lee Enfield. He probably
accounted for as many Japanese
causalities as the whole platoon put
together I shared some space briefly
with Lance in North Point Camp. He
was still analysing the campaign and
figuring out what went wrong with the
defence. (Written by Phil Doddridge)
every situation quickly and reacted
with speed and accuracy. He was a
crack shot. He connected at 800
yards, a distance at which the figure of a
man is totally obscured by the
front sight of a Lee Enfield. He probably
accounted for as many Japanese
causalities as the whole platoon put
together I shared some space briefly
with Lance in North Point Camp. He
was still analysing the campaign and
figuring out what went wrong with the
defence. (Written by Phil Doddridge)
Sgt. Lance Ross, RRoC
Back row. Left to right ... Sgt. Gordon Kerr, Artie Perreault, Unknown,
Maj. Maurice Parker, George MacDonell, Percy Willett, CSM Bert Holt
. Front row, kneeling, Crandal Irvine*, kia, Gordon Irvine**, kia
Maj. Maurice Parker, George MacDonell, Percy Willett, CSM Bert Holt
. Front row, kneeling, Crandal Irvine*, kia, Gordon Irvine**, kia
| Taken in Gander, Newfoundland, winter of 1941. Left to right, J.D. Irvine, Phil Doddridge, Barney Haley |
Byron Willet, Maj. Parker's
batman. The two men held each
other in high regard.
batman. The two men held each
other in high regard.
Gander,
A soldier's best friend. We must not forget the
magnificent Newfoundland dog, Sgt. Gander, who
outgrew his family in Newfoundland and became
our mascot. Like others of his breed he was a huge,
gentle, lovable animal, a favourite of all the men in
the Regiment. He was looked after by his handler
Fred Kelly but I think he had love enough to go
around as he showed great affection for all of us.
As Regimental Mascot he went everywhere with
us, including Hong Kong.
A soldier's best friend. We must not forget the
magnificent Newfoundland dog, Sgt. Gander, who
outgrew his family in Newfoundland and became
our mascot. Like others of his breed he was a huge,
gentle, lovable animal, a favourite of all the men in
the Regiment. He was looked after by his handler
Fred Kelly but I think he had love enough to go
around as he showed great affection for all of us.
As Regimental Mascot he went everywhere with
us, including Hong Kong.
Gander died in Hong Kong defending the men he loved. He was a very
brave dog. Three of his acts of courage are recorded. As the Japanese
were landing on the beach at Lye Mun Gander rushed at them barking
and biting at their legs. Another time some injured Canadians were lying,
under cover, by the road as a group of Japanese advanced towards them.
Gander charged at them causing them to change direction thus saving the
Canadians. His last act of gallantry cost him his life. During heavy fighting a
Japanese grenade landed close to some troops. Gander picked up the
grenade on the run and continued away from the soldiers. The grenade
exploded ending Gander's life. He was awarded the Dickin Medal
for,"acts of conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in wartime." Fred
Kelly was the happiest man alive when he was chosen to receive the
medal honouring Gander.
brave dog. Three of his acts of courage are recorded. As the Japanese
were landing on the beach at Lye Mun Gander rushed at them barking
and biting at their legs. Another time some injured Canadians were lying,
under cover, by the road as a group of Japanese advanced towards them.
Gander charged at them causing them to change direction thus saving the
Canadians. His last act of gallantry cost him his life. During heavy fighting a
Japanese grenade landed close to some troops. Gander picked up the
grenade on the run and continued away from the soldiers. The grenade
exploded ending Gander's life. He was awarded the Dickin Medal
for,"acts of conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in wartime." Fred
Kelly was the happiest man alive when he was chosen to receive the
medal honouring Gander.
| The Dickin Medal. Also known as the Victoria Cross for animals |
Alfred Babin has the elegent bearing of a
career soldier. His perfect posture and
trim physique make him look taller than
he really is and much younger than his
years. In manner and grooming he is the
epitome of a gentleman, and every inch a
soldier.Mr. Babin was born in Moncton,
New Brunswick on October 15, 1921.
On September 2, 1939, Babin had
joined the Canadian Army. He joined a
Moncton based Infantry Regiment called
the New Brunswick Rangers, and
became Infantryman Alfred Babin, serial
number G27036.
career soldier. His perfect posture and
trim physique make him look taller than
he really is and much younger than his
years. In manner and grooming he is the
epitome of a gentleman, and every inch a
soldier.Mr. Babin was born in Moncton,
New Brunswick on October 15, 1921.
On September 2, 1939, Babin had
joined the Canadian Army. He joined a
Moncton based Infantry Regiment called
the New Brunswick Rangers, and
became Infantryman Alfred Babin, serial
number G27036.
Dr. Ken Cambon died on February 23, 2007. He left behind his wife Dr. Eileen Nason Cambon, his daughters Noreen and
Marie, his grandson Harrison, grand daughter, Sybrand, and brother Austen. He was a remarkable man. Who else but a
remarkable man could accomplish so much in life after enduring the unendurable. He went on to become a doctor and to write
an inspiring book, Guest of Hirohito.Given the circumstance the book was written with humour, and showed a man of great
courage. I wish I had met him. More.
Marie, his grandson Harrison, grand daughter, Sybrand, and brother Austen. He was a remarkable man. Who else but a
remarkable man could accomplish so much in life after enduring the unendurable. He went on to become a doctor and to write
an inspiring book, Guest of Hirohito.Given the circumstance the book was written with humour, and showed a man of great
courage. I wish I had met him. More.
Company Sergeant-Major (Warrant Officer Class II) John Robert Osborn
died on December 19, 1941, defending British garrison of Hong Kong
against Japanese attack. While fighting with small numbers of his unit, The
Winnipeg Grenadiers, Osborn repeatedly showed great acts of heroism,
including attacking the enemy single-handedly. On several occasions he
picked up and threw back Japanese grenades that had landed in Canadian
positions. When he was unable to return one of these grenades, he threw
himself on it and was killed instantly. Company Sergeant-Major Osborn was
awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions that day.
died on December 19, 1941, defending British garrison of Hong Kong
against Japanese attack. While fighting with small numbers of his unit, The
Winnipeg Grenadiers, Osborn repeatedly showed great acts of heroism,
including attacking the enemy single-handedly. On several occasions he
picked up and threw back Japanese grenades that had landed in Canadian
positions. When he was unable to return one of these grenades, he threw
himself on it and was killed instantly. Company Sergeant-Major Osborn was
awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions that day.
The letter shown was written by
Osborn to his children April 9, 1941,
while The Winnipeg Grenadiers were in
Jamaica training for future operations.
Letter by John Robert Osborn to his
son Gerald dated 19410409.
(19950061-014) Click Here
Osborn to his children April 9, 1941,
while The Winnipeg Grenadiers were in
Jamaica training for future operations.
Letter by John Robert Osborn to his
son Gerald dated 19410409.
(19950061-014) Click Here
Col. Harry Atkinson
Both Battalions selected, The Royal Rifles of Canada and The Winnipeg
Grenadiers, were placed under the unified command of recently promoted
Canadian Brigadier General J.K. Lawson from Ottawa, Ontario, who, by
odd coincidence, had been assigned the task of writing the combat fitness
reports on various units in the Canadian Army. He had judged both the
Royal Rifles and the Grenadiers as unfit. Now ... he was their
Commanding Officer.
Grenadiers, were placed under the unified command of recently promoted
Canadian Brigadier General J.K. Lawson from Ottawa, Ontario, who, by
odd coincidence, had been assigned the task of writing the combat fitness
reports on various units in the Canadian Army. He had judged both the
Royal Rifles and the Grenadiers as unfit. Now ... he was their
Commanding Officer.
Brigadier John K. Lawson
Major-General Maltby (left) GOC HK talking to Brigadier Lawson CO
of the Canadian Forces
of the Canadian Forces
Brigadier John K. Lawson
BISHOP, Wells Arnold, Major, DSO ED