Military service
Burial/memorial information
Son of Israël Desroches and Théodora Sabourin of Ottawa, Ontario. Brother of Pierrette, Marcel, Germaine, Jeannette, Jacqueline, Joseph Maurice and Françoise.
Israël served in the First World War without having taken part in the combat, regimental number 2776922, with the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps.
Served in Ontario, Québec, Hong Kong with C Force. Had 838 days of service, including 59 overseas.
Digital gallery of Corporal Gérard Gilbert Desroches
Digital gallery of
Corporal Gérard Gilbert Desroches
Digital gallery of
Corporal Gérard Gilbert Desroches
Digital gallery of
Corporal Gérard Gilbert Desroches
Digital gallery of
Corporal Gérard Gilbert Desroches
Digital gallery of
Corporal Gérard Gilbert Desroches
Digital gallery of
Corporal Gérard Gilbert Desroches
Digital gallery of
Corporal Gérard Gilbert Desroches
Digital gallery of
Corporal Gérard Gilbert Desroches
Digital gallery of
Corporal Gérard Gilbert Desroches
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In the Books of Remembrance
Commemorated on:
Page 28 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance.
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SAI WAN MEMORIAL Victoria, Hong Kong
This SAI WAN MEMORIAL honours over 2,000 men of the land forces of the British Commonwealth and Empire who died in the defence of Hong Kong during the Second World War.
The SAI WAN MEMORIAL is in the form of a shelter building 24 metres long and 5.5 metres wide. It stands at the entrance to Sai Wan Bay War Cemetery, outside Victoria, the capital of Hong Kong. From the semi-circular forecourt, two wide openings lead to the interior of the building. The names are inscribed on panels of Portland stone. The dedicatory inscription reads:
1939 - 1945 The officers and men whose memory is honoured here died in the defence of Hong Kong in December 1941 and in the ensuing years of captivity and have no known grave.
The northern side of the Memorial is open and four granite piers support the copper roof. From a commanding position 305 metres above sea level, it looks out over the War Cemetery where some 1,500 men lie buried, and across the water to Mainland China - a magnificent view of sea and mountains.
The Cape Collinson area has many cemeteries. Walking up this narrow one-way traffic road, one will pass the Catholic Cemetery situated on the hillside to the left of the road, and the Hong Kong Military Cemetery on the right. Sai Wan War Cemetery is about half way up Cape Collinson Road and faces the Muslim and Buddhist cemeteries.
One can also get a taxi from Chai Wan Terminus and follow the same route. Alternatively, one can board a public light bus, Route No.16M, which runs from Chai Wan MTR Terminus to Stanley. En route to Stanley the minibus will pass Sai Wan War Cemetery.
For more information, visit Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
The Poppy Design is a trademark of The Royal Canadian Legion (Dominion Command) and is used with permission. Click here to learn more about the poppy.
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