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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Harvey Abgrall

In memory of:

Private Harvey Abgrall

December 19, 1941
Wong Nai Chung Gap, Hong Kong

Military Service


Service Number:

H/6960

Age:

22

Force:

Army

Unit:

Winnipeg Grenadiers, R.C.I.C.

Citation(s):

1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Canadian Volunteer Service Medal & Clasp (CVSM)

Additional Information


Born:

January 15, 1919
St. Laurent, Manitoba

Enlistment:

October 20, 1941
Winnipeg, Manitoba

His name at birth was Alphonse Hervé Abgrall. Son of Yves Abgrall and Marie Jeanne Rannou, of St. Laurent, Manitoba. Brother of Louis Abgrall, who served overseas during the conflict and survived the war.

He got his basic training at 100th BTC in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, service number H-601295, from 8 September 1941 to 19 October 1941. He served in Canada and Hong Kong with Force C. He had 61 days of service, including 53 overseas.

To commemorate his sacrifice, the Government of Manitoba named Abgrall Lake, northeast of Reindeer Lake, in his honor in 1972.

Commemorated on Page 22 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 25.

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

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  • Memorial– Private HARVEY ABGRALL is one of 30 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– Private HARVEY ABGRALL was reported to have Died of Wounds in the Canadian Army's 246th overseas casualty list of the war published in the Globe and Mail on January 12, 1943.
  • 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 Private HARVEY ABGRALL lie beneath this grave marker.  The unidentified soldiers are commemorated at the Sai Wan Memorial.
  • Photo of Harvey Abgrall– 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.
  • Honour Roll– Honour Roll

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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