The Canadian soldiers who sailed from Vancouver to help defend Hong Kong in 1941

In late October 1941, 1,975 Canadian soldiers sailed from Vancouver on board the Awatea, escorted by HMCS Prince Robert ^[1]. Britain had decided to reinforce Hong Kong, and Canada selected the Royal Rifles and the Winnipeg Grenadiers to help defend it ^[1]. Under Brigadier J.K. Lawson, they arrived on November 16 and joined the 14,000-strong Hong Kong defence force ^[1]. The Hong Kong Museum of the War of Resistance and Coastal Defence counts some 2,500 Canadian members, including civil officials and rear services units ^[2].

On December 8, Japan attacked Hong Kong ^[1]. Brigadier Lawson was killed outside his headquarters at Wong Nai Chung Gap, in fighting the Japanese judged the most intense of the 18 days of war ^[2][3]. Company Sergeant-Major John Robert Osborn of the Winnipeg Grenadiers earned the Victoria Cross for his actions during the defence of Hong Kong ^[1]. By Christmas Day 1941, the Allies had no choice but to surrender ^[1]. More than 260 Canadian prisoners of war died before liberation, and of the almost 2,000 Canadians who sailed, more than 550 never saw Canada again ^[1]. The museum gives some 500 Canadian soldiers who died during the battle and the Japanese Occupation Period ^[2].

After the war, most were buried at the Stanley Military Cemetery and the Sai Wan War Cemetery ^[2]. For the battle's 70th anniversary in 2011, the museum staged a pictorial exhibition in tribute to the Canadian troops who defended Hong Kong ^[2].