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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Russell Vernon Poag

In memory of:

Lance Corporal Russell Vernon Poag

December 25, 1941
Stanley, Hong Kong

Military Service


Service Number:

B/38160

Age:

31

Force:

Army

Unit:

Royal Rifles of Canada, R.C.I.C.

Citation(s):

1939-1945 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal 1939-1945, Canadian Volunteer Service Medals and Clasp

Additional Information


Born:

February 2, 1910
Caledonia, Ontario

Enlistment:

July 31, 1940
Hamilton, Ontario

Son of Samuel Poag and Jane Douglas, of Caledonia, Ontario. Husband of Beatrice Viola Draper. Father of Mary Arlene Poag.

He first enrolled with the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry, was deployed on 18 October 1941 to the 1st Battalion, Royal Rifles of Canada, and he served in Ontario, in Québec, and in Hong Kong with Force C. He had 513 days of service, including 59 overseas.

Commemorated on Page 41 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information


Cemetery:
Grave Reference:

1. C. 14

Location:

STANLEY MILITARY CEMETERY, originally the Military Cemetery in which members of the Hong Kong Garrison and their families were buried, is situated just beyond the small fishing village of Stanley in the southern part of Hong Kong island on the Tai Tam Peninsula, which has Stanley Bay on the west and Tai Tam Bay on the north. From Stanley Village take the Wong Ma Kok Road. The cemetery is adjacent St Stephens College and is close to St Stephen's beach. It is reached from Victoria by car along a winding, hilly road which at first overlooks the harbour and mainland. After climbing to the pass called Wong Nei Cheng Gap the road descends to the sea at Repulse Bay and then continues along the rocky hillside to Stanley village.

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Digital Collection

Send us your images

  • Newspaper clipping– From the Toronto Star January 1943. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Hamilton Spectator December 26th 1941. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Hamilton Spectator December 26th 1941. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper Clipping– Hamilton Spectator
  • Canada and the Defence of Hong Kong.– Source:  Veterans Affairs Canada.
  • Canadian Casualties in the Defense of Hong Kong and its Aftermath– Source: Veterans Affairs Canada.
  • Grave Marker– Lance Corporal Royal Rifles of Canada, R.C.I.C.was one of  290 Canadian soldiers killed during the defense of Hong Kong from December 8th to December 25th, 1941

Learn more about the Canadian Virtual War Memorial

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