Diphtheria
Heroes Remember
Diphtheria
Transcript
Description
Mr. MacLean explains how a diphtheria vaccination saved his life, and how a friend of his wasn’t so lucky.
Ralph MacLean
Mr. MacLean was born in the Magdalen Islands on June 27, 1922. He now resides in Calgary, Alberta, with his wife and family. Mr. MacLean signed up for service looking for excitement and thinking he would get to travel to Europe and was assigned to the Headquarters Company of the Royal Rifles. Instead of being sent to Europe Mr. MacLean found himself in Hong Kong in mid-November 1941. He was captured by Japanese forces on Christmas Day after being forced to retreat to the side of a cliff and left with no means of defence. During his captivity, Mr. Maclean was held at Shamshuipo and North Point POW Camps, before being shipped to Niigata as slave labour for a steel foundry. Liberated by Americans, Mr. MacLean returned to Canada soon after, and returned to civilian life.
Meta Data
- Medium:
- Video
- Owner:
- Veterans Affairs Canada
- Duration:
- 02:25
- Person Interviewed:
- Ralph MacLean
- War, Conflict or Mission:
- Second World War
- Location/Theatre:
- Hong Kong
- Branch:
- Army
- Units/Ship:
- Royal Rifles of Canada
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