They Didn’t Expect us to be Prisoners.

Heroes Remember

They Didn’t Expect us to be Prisoners.

Transcript

They sent us over, we had to go. They sent us over. I guess there was, the biggest trouble was, they didn't expect what we were getting. They didn’t expect that. They didn’t expect us to be prisoners or anything like that. Interviewer: Mr. Moar, when you think back on the men that you served with in the battle of Hong Kong, and in the captivity, three years and eight months of captivity, the men of C force, the Royal Rifles of Canada, the Winnipeg Grenadiers, and the support troops... When you think back on those men, are you proud of what they did? Yes I am, very proud. Excuse me. Interviewer: Mr. Moar, is it important to you that Canadians have an understanding and an appreciation of what you men went through? Yeah, I do. Interviewer: If you had the opportunity, Mr. Moar, of speaking to young Canadians of this generation or future generations about duty, love of country, patriotism, what would you say to them? Well, I would probably explain to them the things that happened to us when we were in prison camps and things like that. I think that’s one of the things that is very important, that they know about it. My kids know all about it, because I explained everything to them. I keep telling them, and they keep asking questions, how we was treated and things like that. And I keep telling them as much as I could remember. My boy is fifty years old now, so I keep telling him what, you know, to be careful about what he is doing.

Description

Mr. Moar reflects on his service, his pride in his fellow soldiers and his efforts to educate youth about Hong Kong

James Moar

James Moar was born in Kenville, Manitoba in 1915. He was one of fifteen children. His father worked both as a fisherman and as a farm labourer. After completing grade five, Mr. Moar left school, moving to Swan River to work, and eventually enlisted there. He joined the Royal Rifles, and did his basic training at Portage La Prairie. Before leaving for Hong Kong, he joined the Winnipeg Grenadiers. Mr. Moar was wounded early in the Hong Kong campaign. His leg injury left him unable to join the labour gangs, and he became a batman for five of his officers in the POW camp at Sham Shui Po. He reports having been well treated by his officers, but being beaten by his Japanese guards. Mr. Moar became a fisherman after safely returning to Canada. He remains proud of his service to his country.

Meta Data

Medium:: Video
Owner:: Veterans Affairs Canada
Duration:: 3:02
Person Interviewed:: James Moar
War, Conflict or Mission:: Second World War
Location/Theatre:: Hong Kong
Battle/Campaign:: Hong Kong
Branch:: Army
Units/Ship:: Royal Rifles, Winnipeg Grenadiers

Language selection

They Didn’t Expect us to be Prisoners.

Heroes Remember