HMCS Ontario, Activities in Hong Kong, 1945.

Submitted by Klaus on Wed, 10/21/2015 - 17:12

HMCS Ontario, Activities in Hong Kong, 1945.

A document accompanying these photos says in part:

" On 9 October three days merry-maklng started in the colony to celebrate victory and relief from forty-four months of Japanese occupation. The programme started with a parade to the Cenotaph followed by a march past, Rear-Admlral Harcourt taking the salute. Huge crowds lined the route in perfect weather, amidst scenes of great enthusiasm. After the service contingents had gone by, including a platoon from Ontario, a dazzling Chinese procession, complete with acrobats, passed in a never ending stream. The noise of fire crackers, bands etc was added to by the warships in harbour, who fired a 21-gun salute, the roar of Ontario's 6" guns (the largest calibre fired), in particular reverberating in the surrounding mountains. In the afternoon a team from Ontario defeated a Hong Kong volunteer softball nine, who put up a very spirited performance, bearing in mind that it was their first game since being released from prison camp. The winners were presented with a trophy and medals inscrlbed in Chinese. As a grand finale to a grand day, there was an impressive fireworks display, Anson and Ontario providing the star turns. "

Fairey Barracudas fly in formation over the Japanese surrender celebrations
Fairey Barracudas fly in formation over the Japanese surrender celebrations, by Ken Johnson
Parade and review during the Japanese surrender celebrations
Parade and review during the Japanese surrender celebrations, by Ken Johnson
Ceremonies at a cenotaph
Ceremonies at a cenotaph, by Ken Johnson
Longer view of the ceremonies at the cenotaph
Longer view of the ceremonies at the cenotaph, by Ken Johnson
People parading in a street (Oct. 1945)
People parading in a street (Oct. 1945), by Ken Johnson
Fireworks over the harbour, celebrating the Japanese surrender.
Fireworks over the harbour, celebrating the Japanese surrender., by Ken Johnson

Text and photos are taken from the website ROYAL CANADIAN NAVY , especially from the part HMCS Ontario, Activities in Hong Kong, 1945.

Text and images are copied by kind permission from Charles Dobie (webmaster) and Ken Johnson.

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The links to the photos of Hong Kong can be viewed from the following pages  1 , 2 and 3

In two of the photos, the softball game that was played between the crew of HMCS Ontario and a local team was actually played at the Hong Kong Cricket Club and not at Fort Stanley as indicated. China Mail dated 10 October 1945 refers.