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The following story appears courtesy of and with thanks to Ronald Parker and Father
Major Maurice Albert Parker:

On the announcement of hostilities on December 8, the Honourable J.L. Ralston, Canadian Minister of Defense, cabled Brigadier Lawson: "Concurrently with the Dominion's declaration of war against Japan, I send you the assurances of complete confidence that the forces under your command will, in the days ahead, worthily uphold the best traditions of Canadian arms." Lawson replied, "All ranks appreciate your message. We shall do everything in our power to maintain the best traditions of the Canadian Army."

From London, England came a cable addressed to the Canadians. "Canada's China Force is the envy of the Canadian Corps. Lucky guys was the phrase heard on every side with reference to their comrades stationed in the Far East, at Hong Kong. 'And to think, if I'd stayed with my old Regiment, I'd be with them in Hong Kong now'., said one Canadian First Division Colonel who had gone over to England with the 1st. Canadian Contingent two years earlier". In light of what took place that colonel must have counted his lucky stars he had not stayed with those "lucky guys" of his old regiment.

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