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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Albert Burton Gresham

In memory of:

Major Albert Burton Gresham

December 19, 1941
Mount Butler, Hong Kong

Military Service


Age:

36

Force:

Army

Unit:

Winnipeg Grenadiers, R.C.I.C.

Citation(s):

1939-1945 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal 1939-1945, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp.

Additional Information


Born:

March 12, 1905
Claremont, Perth, Australia

Enlistment:

September 1, 1939
Winnipeg, Manitoba

Son of Jonathan Gresham and Henrietta Louisa Grave of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Husband of Margaret Kathleen Marr.

Enrolled in the 1st Battalion Winnipeg Light Infantry (MG) Active Reserve in Winnipeg, Manitoba from June 3rd, 1926 to December 10th, 1939, to the regular forces of the same regiment for service in Manitoba, Jamaica with Y Force, Hong Kong with C Force.

To commemorate his sacrifice, the Manitoba government named Gresham Lake located east of North Knife Lake in his honor in 1964.

Commemorated on Page 31 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information


Cemetery:

SAI WAN MEMORIAL
Victoria, Hong Kong

Grave Reference:

Column 23.

Location:

This SAI WAN MEMORIAL honours over 2,000 men of the land forces of the British Commonwealth and Empire who died in the defence of Hong Kong during the Second World War. The SAI WAN MEMORIAL is in the form of a shelter building 24 metres long and 5.5 metres wide. It stands at the entrance to Sai Wan Bay War Cemetery, outside Victoria, the capital of Hong Kong. From the semi-circular forecourt, two wide openings lead to the interior of the building. The names are inscribed on panels of Portland stone. The dedicatory inscription reads:


1939 - 1945 The officers and men whose memory is honoured here died in the defence of Hong Kong in December 1941 and in the ensuing years of captivity and have no known grave.

The northern side of the Memorial is open and four granite piers support the copper roof. From a commanding position 305 metres above sea level, it looks out over the War Cemetery where some 1,500 men lie buried, and across the water to Mainland China - a magnificent view of sea and mountains. The Cape Collinson area has many cemeteries. Walking up this narrow one-way traffic road, one will pass the Catholic Cemetery situated on the hillside to the left of the road, and the Hong Kong Military Cemetery on the right. Sai Wan War Cemetery is about half way up Cape Collinson Road and faces the Muslim and Buddhist cemeteries. One can also get a taxi from Chai Wan Terminus and follow the same route. Alternatively, one can board a public light bus, Route No.16M, which runs from Chai Wan MTR Terminus to Stanley. En route to Stanley the minibus will pass Sai Wan War Cemetery.

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Digital Collection

Send us your images

  • Newspaper Clipping– In memory of the men and women memorialized on the pages of the Winnipeg Evening Tribune. Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me
  • Memorial– Major ALBERT BURTON GRESHAM is one of 18 members of the Winnipeg Grenadiers, Royal Canadian Infantry Corps who are commemorated on this panel of the Sai Wan Memorial.  He was one of 290 Canadian soldiers killed during the defense of Hong Kong, from December 8th to December 25th, 1941.
  • Newspaper Clipping– Major ALBERT BURTON GRESHAM was reported to have been Killed in Action in the Canadian Army's 243rd overseas casualty list of the war published in the Globe and Mail on January 8, 1943.
  • Newspaper Clipping– Major ALBERT BURTON GRESHAM was also reported to have been Killed in Action in this article published in the Globe and Mail on January 7, 1943.
  • Newspaper Clipping– This contains excerpts from a long article in the Globe and Mail published on September 8, 1945, which provides some background on the situation in Hong Kong prior to the battle and, in the right hand column, an account of fighting by the Winnegeg Grenadiers on December 19, 1941 in whch over 60 members of the regiment, including Major ALBERT BURTON GRESHAM
  • Dedicatory Inscription of the Sai Wan Memorial– Dedicatory inscription of the SAI WAN MEMORIAL.  This memorial  bears the names of more than 2,000 Commonwealth servicemen, including 228 Canadians.
  • Canada and the Defence of Hong Kong– Source: Veterans Affairs Canada.
  • Canadian Casuatlies in the Defence of Hong Kong– Source: Veterans Affairs Canada.
  • Unknown Marker– The Sai Wan Memorial is located at the entrance of Sai Wan Cemetery.  1,505 Commonwealth casualties of the Second World War are buried or commemorated at this  cemetery, of which 444 of the burials are the remains of unidentified soldiers, including those of 107 Canadian soldiers, most of whom were killed or died of wounds during the defense of Hong Kong, which took place from December 8th to December 25th, 1941. This is one such grave marker.  There is a possibility that the remains of Captain ALAN SHAFER BOWMAN lie beneath this grave marker, or one of the other 106 grave markers in Sai Wan Cemetery that simply read, A SOLDIER OF THE 1939-1945 WAR.  A  CANADIAN REGIMENT.  KNOWN UNTO GOD.  The unidentified soldiers are commemorated at the Sai Wan Memorial.
  • Photo of Albert Burton Gresham– In memory of those who served in Hong Kong during World War 11 and did not come home. Submitted with permission on behalf of the Hong Kong Veterans Commemorative Association by Operation: Picture Me.
  • Photo of Albert Burton Gresham– Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me
  • Biography– Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me

Learn more about the Canadian Virtual War Memorial

To learn more please visit our help page. If you have questions or comments regarding the information contained in this registry, email or call us. For inquiries regarding the names and information found in the RCMP Honour Roll, please email the RCMP.

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