Profile image
Military service
Service number:
E/29945
Age:
33
Rank:
Rifleman
Force:
Army
Unit/Regiment:
Royal Rifles of Canada, R.C.I.C.
Birth:
December 2, 1908
New Richmond, Québec
Enlistment:
July 29, 1940
New Carlisle, Québec
Death:
December 23, 1941
Repulse Bay Hotel, Hong Kong
Burial/memorial information
Grave reference:
Column 25.
Additional information
He was born on 2 December 1908 and was baptized John Wilson McWhirter at the New Richmond Presbyterian Church, Bonaventure, Québec, on 16 March 1909. Son of Henry Gordon McWhirter and Eliza Ella Pollick, of New Richmond, Québec.
He served in Québec, in Newfoundland with Force W, in Hong Kong with Force C. He had 513 days of service, including 57 overseas.
Additional citations
1939-1945 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal 1939-1945, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp.
Digital gallery of Rifleman John McWhirter
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Photo of John McWhirter
Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me -
Biography
Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me -
Canada and the Defence of Hong Kong.
Source: Veterans Affairs Canada. -
Memorial
Rifleman JOHN MCWHIRTER is one of 30 members of the Royal Rifles of Canada, 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. -
Inscription
Dedicatory inscription of the SAI WAN MEMORIAL. This memorial bears the names of more than 2,000 Commonwealth servicemen, including 228 Canadians. -
Newspaper clipping
Rifleman JOHN MCWHIRTER was reported Missing in Action in the Canadian Army's 244th overseas casualty list of the war published in the Globe and Mail on January 9, 1943. -
Canada and the Defence of Hong Kong.
Source: Veterans Affairs Canada. -
Photo of John McWhirter
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. -
Circumstances of death
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Letter (1)
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Letter (2)
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Letter
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Letter (1)
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Letter (2)
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Letter
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Report
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Letter
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Photo of John McWhirter
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Photo of John McWhirter
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
Digital gallery of
Rifleman John McWhirter
Digital gallery of
Rifleman John McWhirter
Digital gallery of
Rifleman John McWhirter
Digital gallery of
Rifleman John McWhirter
Digital gallery of
Rifleman John McWhirter
Digital gallery of
Rifleman John McWhirter
Digital gallery of
Rifleman John McWhirter
Digital gallery of
Rifleman John McWhirter
Digital gallery of
Rifleman John McWhirter
In the Books of Remembrance
Commemorated on:
Page 38 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance.
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