Military service
Burial/memorial information
Son of Charles Duncan French and Clara Elizabeth Nowell of Norwood Grove, Manitoba. Charles fought in France during the First World War with the 12th Engineer Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, regimental number 3346231.
Enrolled as a Second Lieutenant on July 18th, 1940 in the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada, posted to the regular forces of that regiment on January 10th, 1941, transferred to the 1st Battalion Winnipeg Grenadiers on October 18th, 1941 as a Lieutenant.
Served in Manitoba, Hong Kong with C Force.
To commemorate his sacrifice, the Manitoba government named French Island located on the Winnipeg River in Pinawa in his honor in 1973.
1939-1945 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal 1939-1945, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp, Defence Medal Hong Kong Bar.
Digital gallery of Lieutenant Charles Duncan French
Digital gallery of
Lieutenant Charles Duncan French
In memory of the men and women memorialized on the pages of the Winnipeg Evening Tribune. Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me
Digital gallery of
Lieutenant Charles Duncan French
Lieutenant CHARLES DUNCAN FRENCH 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.
Digital gallery of
Lieutenant Charles Duncan French
Lieutenant CHARLES DUNCAN FRENCH 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 13, 1943.
Digital gallery of
Lieutenant Charles Duncan French
Dedicatory inscription of the SAI WAN MEMORIAL. This memorial bears the names of more than 2,000 Commonwealth servicemen, including 228 Canadians.
Digital gallery of
Lieutenant Charles Duncan French
Source: Veterans Affairs Canada.
Digital gallery of
Lieutenant Charles Duncan French
Source: Veterans Affairs Canada.
Digital gallery of
Lieutenant Charles Duncan French
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 Lieutenant CHARLES DUNCAN FRENCH 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.
Digital gallery of
Lieutenant Charles Duncan French
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.
Digital gallery of
Lieutenant Charles Duncan French
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
Digital gallery of
Lieutenant Charles Duncan French
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
Digital gallery of
Lieutenant Charles Duncan French
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
Digital gallery of
Lieutenant Charles Duncan French
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
Digital gallery of
Lieutenant Charles Duncan French
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
Image gallery
-
In memory of the men and women memorialized on the pages of the Winnipeg Evening Tribune. Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me
-
Lieutenant CHARLES DUNCAN FRENCH 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.
-
Lieutenant CHARLES DUNCAN FRENCH 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 13, 1943.
-
Dedicatory inscription of the SAI WAN MEMORIAL. This memorial bears the names of more than 2,000 Commonwealth servicemen, including 228 Canadians.
-
Source: Veterans Affairs Canada.
-
Source: Veterans Affairs Canada.
-
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 Lieutenant CHARLES DUNCAN FRENCH 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.
-
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.
-
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
-
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
-
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
-
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
-
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
In the Books of Remembrance
Commemorated on:
Page 30 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance.
Request this page
Download this page
SAI WAN MEMORIAL Victoria, Hong Kong
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.
For more information, visit Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
The Poppy Design is a trademark of The Royal Canadian Legion (Dominion Command) and is used with permission. Click here to learn more about the poppy.
Did we miss something?
Contribute information to this commemorative page
Do you have photographs, information or a correction relating to this individual’s virtual memorial? Learn more about the CVWM and the information we collect.