HMCS Ontario, Activities in Hong Kong, 1945.
A document accompanying these photos says in part: " On 9 October three days merry-maklng started in the colony to celebrate victory and relief from forty-four months of Japanese occupation. The programme started with a parade to the Cenotaph followed by a march past, Rear-Admlral Harcourt taking the salute. Huge crowds lined the route in perfect weather, amidst scenes of great enthusiasm. After the service contingents had gone by, including a platoon from Ontario, a dazzling Chinese procession, complete with acrobats, passed in a never ending stream. The noise of fire crackers, bands etc was added to by the warships in harbour, who fired a 21-gun salute, the roar of Ontario's 6" guns (the largest calibre fired), in particular reverberating in the surrounding mountains. In the afternoon a team from Ontario defeated a Hong Kong volunteer softball nine, who put up a very spirited performance, bearing in mind that it was their first game since being released from prison camp. The winners were presented with a trophy and medals inscrlbed in Chinese. As a grand finale to a grand day, there was an impressive fireworks display, Anson and Ontario providing the star turns. "
Photo 1 : Negative #ON-0124: Fairey Barracudas fly in formation over the Japanese surrender celebrations. The building is the headquarters of the HSBC (Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation).
Photo 2 : Negative #ON-0124-2: Parade and review during the Japanese surrender celebrations.
Photo 3 : Negative #ON-0123-1: Ceremonies at a cenotaph, the bottom of which is wrapped in white cloth. The officers are shown in detail below.
Photo 4 : Detail from the photo above of the officers in front of the cenotaph. The army officer third from the left is probably Major-General F.W. Festing, General Officer Commanding Hong Kong.
Photo 5 : Negative #ON-0123: Longer view of the ceremonies at the cenotaph.
Photo 6 : Negative #9-1: Canadian graves:
W.C. SHORE / WPG GDS / KILLED / IN ACTION / DEC. 1941
CPL. LATIMER / R.R.C. / KILLED / IN ACTION / DEC. 1941
SGT. ROGERS / WPG GDS / KILLED / IN ACTION / DEC. 1941
PTE. McINDOE / RAMC. / KILLED / IN ACTION / DEC. 1941
Photo 7 : Negative #9-2: Grave and memorial:
MET / THEIR DEATH / AT / St STEPHENS / ON / 25th DECEMBER / 1941
Col CDR BLACK, R.A.M.C.
Capt. T.N. WHITNEY, R.A.M.C.
Mrs. S.D. BEGG, V.A.D.
Mrs. H.T. BUXTON, V.A.D.
Mrs. W.J. SMITH, V.A.D.
AND MANY / UNKNOWN / CHINESE, INDIAN, / CANADIAN and / BRITISH RANKS / OF VARIOUS / UNITS
Photo 8 : Negative #ON-0125: People parading in a street.
Photo 9 : Negative #ON-0091-1: Fireworks over the harbour, celebrating the Japanese surrender.
Photo 10 : Negative #ON-0074: Street scene. The street sign reads "Hill Road".
Photo 11 : Negative ON-0074-1: Street vendors.
Photo 12 : Negative 10-2: Street scene.
Photo 13 : Negative 10-1: Market.
Photo 14 : Negative 10-3: Street scene or part of a parade.
Photo 15 : Negative 10-4: Street scene -- flower vendor.
Photo 16 : Negative 8-3: Street scene.
Photo 17 : Negative ON-0074-3: A chow stall (simple street cafe) possibly in Wanchai.
Photo 18 : Negative ON-0074: Mahjong.
Photo 19 : Negative ON-0089: Labourers hauling heavy bags.
Photo 20 : Negative 11-5: Items being passed onboard HMCS Ontario from small boats.
Photo 21 : Negative 11-4: Chinese boat. The boy on board at right is wearing a navy hat.
Photo 22 : Negative 11-1: Tiger Balm garden off Stubb's Road in Hong Kong.
Photo 23 : Negative 11-3: Tiger Balm garden off Stubb's Road in Hong Kong.
Photo 24 : Negative 11-2: Tiger Balm garden off Stubb's Road in Hong Kong.
Can you provide names, locations, details or corrections?
Please email Charlie Dobie.