Description
Mr. MacDonell provides a great perspective in respect to all that he went through in the military.
George MacDonell
Mr. MacDonell was born in Edmonton, Alberta on August 15, 1922. He lost his parents at an early age and was raised by his uncle and family. In 1939, he ran away from home and made the decision to join the army. Mr. MacDonell served as Company Sergeant Major during the Battle of Hong Kong and in 1941 was captured and was a POW for four years. Post-military, Mr. MacDonell earned his Bachelor of Arts at the University of Toronto and went on to have a successful business career. Mr. MacDonell is very active in his city and very proud of having served. Mr. MacDonell is retired and resides in Toronto, Ontario.
Transcript
Let me put it this way, I think that if you spoke to those of my comrades that are buried in Hong Kong today, buried in Sai Wan Cemetery and you said to them, “Are you sorry? What do you think about this? ” I think they’d tell you, “We have no regrets.” No. That’s how I feel. It was worth it. When you ask me what was it like, I would say, “Well it wasn’t very pleasant but it was worth it.” We knew this was very important.