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Memories Uninvited

Even though the Battle of Hong Kong was fought more than 60 years ago vivid memories creep univited into the minds of many Hong Kong Veterans who fought that bloody battle. On December 8th., 1941, (December 7th. in Canada), more than 50,000 battle hardened Japanese troops attacked the collection of Regular British Army, Indian Army, barely trained Canadian troops and the HKVDC, basically a group of weekend warriors. The 14,000 defenders had no chance of winning but stunned the Japanese by holding out for 17 days. Here is the most vivid recollection of the Battle of Hong Kong from the perspective of Rifleman Phil Doddridge, "D" Company, Royal Rifles of Canada

Philip Doddridge

Philip Doddridge was born on April 2, 1922, to Hugh and Emma Doddridge of New Richmond, Quebec. He was just 18 years old when he joined the Royal Rifles of Canada July 29, 1940, weighing in at 120 pounds soaking wet, and standing 5´ 10" tall in his army boots. He and several other young men from the area thought that joining the army was as good a way as any to become gainfully employed and get a taste of adventure at the same time. It was also the patriotic thing to do with the Canadian Army looking for healthy young men who wanted to serve their country.

In Phil´s own words

I wish I could recall all the "bons mots" and salty expressions that come to mind as I lie in bed at three in the morning. I really should get up and go to my desk and set these ideas to print. My lazy habits have followed me into retirement. I guess I won´t change now.

I am trying to get a summary of my experiences put together in book form. It has taken a long while because of many interruptions. It seems that each time I get down to work something happens to distract me. So if I get a book completed it will give an account of my army life from enlistment on July 29, 1940 to discharge on January 26, 1946.

I want my readers to understand that I make no claim to literary prowess, if I'm not being too presumptious in thinking that others besides my wife Edwina, and my daughter, Nancy, will bother to read this. My sole object is to put down in print my recollections of my army career, if readers will permit me to grace my army experience wih such lofty terms. That I want to do before the Grim Reaper comes to collect his due, decides that my four score years allotment is enough, and decides to finish the job I cheated him out of over sixty years ago.

The book is not deathless prose, but my main purpose in writing it is to get down on paper what my life was like during those years. Since my discharge in January, 1946, well, that is another story.

I joined the Army on July, 1940 at the age of 18. Nothing much was doing in the small village of New Richmond in 1940. The depression had us in a hammerlock as with the rest of the western world. It was probably worse in New Richmond, a no- industry town in those days. At the age of 18, I had quit school the year before and had drifted rather aimlessly, doing odd jobs and living with my parents.

On a summer evening I was strolling down the main thoroughfare of New Richmond when I saw in the window of one of the two "hotels", a recruiting sign in the window. I went in, and soon had signed on the dotted line. That was the beginning of my illustrious career as a soldier of the King.

On to Quebec City, then Valcartier, Sussex, Botwood, Gander and St. John"s Newfoundland, and finally, in the fall of 1941, off to the Far East

There were fifty-three of us youngsters from New Richmond, Grand Cascapedia St. Jules, and Maria, who joined the Royal Rifles and went to Hong Kong.

Philip Doddridge