Payne's Note
Heroes Remember
Payne's Note
Transcript
Description
Mr. Harrison expresses his shame at allowing a note to the parents of his friend Johnny Payne to fall into the hands of the wrong person.
George Harrison
George Harrison was born on April 4, 1920 in Winnipeg, Manitoba and was youngest of three children. His father died shortly after his birth, forcing his mother to place him and his siblings in an orphanage, where he was at times badly beaten. Learning this, his mother took her children back home. After completing grade 9, Mr. Harrison went to work to help support his family. Eventually, he gained employment with CPR Telegraph. On September 13, 1939, Mr. Harrison enlisted with Winnipeg Grenadiers, becoming a specialist on the Vickers machine gun. During the battle of Hong Kong, Mr. Harrison was made a sergeant, and was involved in deadly fighting. Along with the general misery and persecution suffered by all of the POWs, Mr. Harrison faced down both blindness and potential amputation of his toes.
Meta Data
- Medium:
- Video
- Owner:
- Veterans Affairs Canada
- Duration:
- 1:20
- Person Interviewed:
- George Harrison
- War, Conflict or Mission:
- Second World War
- Location/Theatre:
- Hong Kong
- Battle/Campaign:
- Hong Kong
- Branch:
- Army
- Units/Ship:
- Winnipeg Grenadiers
- Rank:
- Sergeant
- Occupation:
- Section Leader
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Mr. Harrison is promoted to sergeant on the battlefield, and leads his men, under extreme pressure from the Japanese, to a secure location. After nightfall, he orchestrates an escape to the valley in an old sedan with four flat tires.
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Mr. Harrison describes the details of his forced march to Sham Shui Po camp.
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Mr. Harrison admires the dignity with which Dr. Crawford endured abuse at the hands of the Kamloops Kid, who would slap him around every time he requested medications for the ill.
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Mr. Harrison is able to purchase garlic, which he initially uses to flavor his rice. As an added benefit, garlic helps alleviate the symptoms of pellagra. In fact, his septic sores heal completely.
Beri Beri
Mr. Harrison describes his experience with both dry and wet beri beri. Although he suffered with 'electric feet' from the dry beri beri, his worst experience was with wet beri beri, where the swelling from fluid in his lower limbs caused his toes to split open. He thanks his doctor for one night of morphine induced sleep.
Diphtheria
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Cigarettes as Currency
Mr. Harrison describes the importance of cigarettes as currency in the camps.
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Avoiding Amputation
Mr. Harrison describes his ordeal with gangrene, which almost results in the amputation of his toes.
Incremental Punishment
Mr. Harrison discusses how complaints about how the men are being punished only leads to harsher treatment by the Japanese. The complaints stop!
Extra Protein
Mr. Harrison describes being given pickled locusts as a protein supplement, much to the distaste of many prisoners.
The War Ends
Mr. Harrison describes the events in his camp the day that the Japanese capitulate. The elation is dampened by the unfortunate death of a young American pilot who crashes beside the camp.
Homecoming
Mr. Harrison describes returning home and his happy reunion with his family. His one regret was having to answer questions from those whose loved ones hadn’t returned.
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