HMCS Ontario, Activities in Hong Kong, 1945.

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, by Ken Johnson

Parade and review during the Japanese surrender celebrations, by Ken Johnson

Ceremonies at a cenotaph, by Ken Johnson

Longer view of the ceremonies at the cenotaph, by Ken Johnson

People parading in a street (Oct. 1945), by Ken Johnson

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.