Winnipeg Grenadiers

Mr. Agerbak offers his feelings on what he feels is the low esteem given to the Veterans of Hong Kong by their peers, and argues for better recognition of his (their) service.

Mr. Agerbak describes the long-term physical and emotional impacts of his service in Hong Kong.

Mr. Agerbak describes his disappointment upon reaching American soil and seeing no Canadians. He talks about his trip home and seeing his parents.

Mr. Agerbak describes how a hidden radio informed them the war was over and discusses his voyage home to Canada.

Mr. Agerbak describes various aspects of working as a blacksmith in the Yokohama shipyards, nutrition, responsibilities, and discipline.

Mr. Agerbak describes being shipped to Japan to the labour camps, and compares the coping skills of soldiers from urban and rural backgrounds.

Mr. Agerbak describes the fact that NCO’s were responsible for their men in camp, and were often punished if their men couldn’t be accounted for.

Mr. Agerbak describes in graphic detail some of the illnesses and treatments he endured in the POW camps.

Mr. Agerbak describes surrendering and Japanese extermination of the wounded who couldn’t make the forced march to Sham Shui Po. He describes his badly wounded brother dying in this way.

Mr. Agerbak describes the impact of Japanese ambushes on the Canadians’ ability to remain a cohesive fighting unit.