Quote:
Originally posted by PPS
The person in question is a man by the name of "Sonny" McKay, who may have passed away by now. He emigrated to Canada sometime before World War 2 from the Limavady area of Northern Ireland. It is thought that his proper first name was John, as my frien thinks he was named after him.
From what has been said within the family it is thought that he joined the Canadian forces around the start of WW2, although which branch is not known (more about this later).
He was apparently made a POW by the Japanese in the Far East...
He survived the punishment and returned to Canada...
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Hi Paul;
Welcome to the forum.
In late 1941, at the request of the British Government, Canada despatched "C" Force, to reinforce the garrison of Hong Kong.
"C" Force served in Hong Kong from 16 November 1941 to the surrender of the colony's garrison on 25 December 1941
The composition of "C" Force consisted of a brigade headquarters with details, and two infantry battalions, based on the following authorized strengths:
Brigade Headquarters:
Commander (brigadier) - x1
Brigade Major - x1
Staff Captain - x1
Senior Administrative Officer - x1
Clerks - 6x other ranks
Drivers I.C. - 2x other ranks
Details:
Royal Canadian Corps of Signals - 1x officer and 32x other ranks
Canadian Chaplain Service - 3x officers
Royal Canadian Army Service Corps - 1x officer and 15x other ranks
Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps - 2x Medical Officers and 2x Nursing Sisters
Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps - 8x other ranks
Royal Canadian Army Pay Corps - 1x officer and 4x other ranks
Canadian Dental Corps - 2x officers and 5x other ranks
Canadian Postal Corps - 3x other ranks
Canadian Provost Corps - 8x other ranks
Auxiliary Services - 2x Supervisors
Infantry Battalions:
Royal Rifles of Canada - 40x officers and 923x other ranks (includes 1st Reinforcements)
Winnipeg Grenadiers - 40x officers and 923x other ranks (includes 1st Reinforcements)
The only 'McKay' that I've found, is a Rifleman McKay, A.J., of the Royal Rifles of Canada, who became a P.O.W., upon the surrender of the garrison, and survived, to be repatriated back to Canada in 1945.
The Royal Rifles of Canada, had been placed on 'Active Service', effective 24 May 1940.
The Winnipeg Grenadiers, had been placed on 'Active Service', effective 1 September 1939.
I don't know if this will help, but Rifleman McKay, A.J., is a start.
Cheers