In the late 1980’s and early 1990’s the HK veterans were thinking about the future of the HKVA. A proposal was made to form a new association made up of sons and daughters of the members of 'C' Force. The committee tasked with this responsibility included: Ernie Garbutt son of Ernest Garbutt WG, Christopher Standish, son of Colin Standish RRC, Larry Everett, son of George Everett RRC, and Allan Marshall, son-in-law of Leonard Wood RRC.
After many meetings and much discussion, the Quebec/Maritime region of the Hong Kong Veterans Commemorative Association was born. Lucette Mailloux-Muir, widow of Kenneth Muir RRC, was named its first regional director at the August reunion of the HKVA Quebec/Maritime branch in 1998. Shortly thereafter, the first executive committee was formed with Lucette Mailloux-Muir as director, Allan Marshall as treasurer, and Debbie Batley Everett, daughter of Eric Batley RRC, as secretary. Nancy Doddridge, daughter of Philip Doddridge RRC, and Ernie Garbut were also named as area representatives for their regions.
The new executive committee presented themselves to the veterans and their widows and with their help compiled a list of the veterans’ children to create their first membership list. The committee worked alongside the veterans and soon after merged the administration and finance responsibilities of the Q/M HKVA and HKVCA branches. Marcel Mondou, a Korean veteran, became the first membership chair. The Q/M HKVA still participated in decisions, activities and events.
In August 2001 at the National Convention in Winnipeg, a ceremony of the « Passing of the Torch » took place and the new HKVCA was official.
In 2002 Philip Doddridge, editor of the Q/M newsletter, invited Lucette Mailloux-Muir to take over the editing and publishing of the newsletter and, with the blessing of the veterans, it was renamed “The Torch”. Today, it still brings local and national news to all our members including a little joke to brighten their day.
Since formation, many reunions, events, and achievements have taken place.
On July 1, 2004 many of our HK veterans along with other local veterans attended the official opening of the Baie des Chaleurs Museum, for which the QC region donated a 4’ x 8’ laminated plaque of the RRC veterans Honour Roll and other memorabilia articles. Lyla Beattie, widow of Kenneth Beattie, donated her wedding dress made from a parachute silk that had been dropped by an American plane on the prison camp where her future husband was interned. We continue to work with the museum and help them to keep these memories alive for future generations.
A copy of the RRC Honour Roll was distributed to all RRC veterans and widows in 2005 and plaques have been installed in all Royal Canadian Legion Branches of District #1 Gaspée, the Baie des Chaleurs Museum, as well as other locations in the province.
In 2012, The Queen Elizabeth ll Diamond Jubilee Medal was presented to Veterans Robert B. Barter, Paul Dallain, Philip Doddridge, Paul J. Laflamme, Allison Pollock, Eric Batley, Edward Campbelton, Charles Dallain, John Roussel, Dempsey Syvret, Bernard M. Thompson, Graham Boudreau, John Duguay, William MacWhirter, Eugene Lapointe, Hormidas Fredette as well as several members of the HKVCA QC region.
We continue with our work, check in on our widows, and encourage our younger generations to get involved in helping to educate and keep the story of ‘C’ force alive.
‘We will remember them!’
Prepared with contributions from Lucette Mailloux-Muir and others.
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