From Oblivion to Triumph
@force136ca.bsky.social
Telling the story of the Battle for Hong Kong, #SOE Force 136, and the making of modern Canada by Rick Green.
Back in Canada, Ray first visited his family's New York Cafe in Gananoque, Ontario. Back in Winnipeg, he first found work in the produce industry with his brother. He later worked in military security. Pat returned to Winnipeg after the war. They married on 2 February 1948, and raised 3 children.
November 10, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Back in Canada, Ray first visited his family's New York Cafe in Gananoque, Ontario. Back in Winnipeg, he first found work in the produce industry with his brother. He later worked in military security. Pat returned to Winnipeg after the war. They married on 2 February 1948, and raised 3 children.
Ray Lowe, John Ko Bong, and Wing Wong had minor assignments until transferred to repatriation duties for Canadian prisoners of war when Japan surrendered. At the 5th Replacement Depot in Manila, they helped care for the PoWs when they arrived. The three departed Manila for Canada in October 1945.
November 10, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Ray Lowe, John Ko Bong, and Wing Wong had minor assignments until transferred to repatriation duties for Canadian prisoners of war when Japan surrendered. At the 5th Replacement Depot in Manila, they helped care for the PoWs when they arrived. The three departed Manila for Canada in October 1945.
Kendall oversaw the Australia training, covering areas not possible at Commando Bay: Japanese weapons, jungle warfare, parachute jumping, and submarine infiltration. By mid-December, they were ready to board the submarine for China. Next month, Operation Oblivion was cancelled.
November 10, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Kendall oversaw the Australia training, covering areas not possible at Commando Bay: Japanese weapons, jungle warfare, parachute jumping, and submarine infiltration. By mid-December, they were ready to board the submarine for China. Next month, Operation Oblivion was cancelled.
A skilled wireless operator, Ray went for an advanced W/T course in Meerut, India. En route, he met his future wife, Pat, in England. She was a Canadian marooned when the war began. Mike Kendall picked him up in India at the end of the course, and they continued on to Australia for more training.
November 10, 2025 at 8:46 PM
A skilled wireless operator, Ray went for an advanced W/T course in Meerut, India. En route, he met his future wife, Pat, in England. She was a Canadian marooned when the war began. Mike Kendall picked him up in India at the end of the course, and they continued on to Australia for more training.
Lowe first enlisted in the Canadian Army in Winnipeg in 1942. When approached by #SOE for special duties overseas in 1944, he accepted. Intensive paramilitary training ran 6AM-9PM, 7 days a week, from May to September. The only relief was to help harvest fruit at Katherine Wilson’s Paradise Ranch.
November 10, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Lowe first enlisted in the Canadian Army in Winnipeg in 1942. When approached by #SOE for special duties overseas in 1944, he accepted. Intensive paramilitary training ran 6AM-9PM, 7 days a week, from May to September. The only relief was to help harvest fruit at Katherine Wilson’s Paradise Ranch.
Lowe was born on 29 October 1913 in Victoria, BC, the youngest of six children. He was raised by his father and older siblings after the death of his mother. Ray lived in Victoria until 1929, then left to work as a salesman in Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and eventually, Winnipeg.
November 10, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Lowe was born on 29 October 1913 in Victoria, BC, the youngest of six children. He was raised by his father and older siblings after the death of his mother. Ray lived in Victoria until 1929, then left to work as a salesman in Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and eventually, Winnipeg.
#LestWeForget🍁 Raymond Young Lowe (1913–2005), “The Voice,” was a Victoria-born businessman and one of 13 Chinese Canadians recruited by Mike Kendall for Operation Oblivion, a covert #SOE mission in southern China under #Force136 ...
#WWII #CanadianHistory #RemembranceDay
#WWII #CanadianHistory #RemembranceDay
November 10, 2025 at 8:46 PM
#LestWeForget🍁 Raymond Young Lowe (1913–2005), “The Voice,” was a Victoria-born businessman and one of 13 Chinese Canadians recruited by Mike Kendall for Operation Oblivion, a covert #SOE mission in southern China under #Force136 ...
#WWII #CanadianHistory #RemembranceDay
#WWII #CanadianHistory #RemembranceDay
After the war, a reunion was held on 17 September 1988 to dedicate a bronze plaque commemorating the #SOE Okanagan training camp. 87-year old Wing planted poppy seeds on the beach. He said he would never return. But with the poppies, there would always be a little of Wing Wong at Commando Bay.
November 9, 2025 at 9:43 PM
After the war, a reunion was held on 17 September 1988 to dedicate a bronze plaque commemorating the #SOE Okanagan training camp. 87-year old Wing planted poppy seeds on the beach. He said he would never return. But with the poppies, there would always be a little of Wing Wong at Commando Bay.
The original 13 recruits were ready by mid-December. But without US approval, Operation Oblivion was cancelled on 26 January 1945. The Japanese suddenly surrendered on 15 August while Wing awaited reassignment. With no repatriation plan for the men, they had to work their way home on freighters.
November 9, 2025 at 9:43 PM
The original 13 recruits were ready by mid-December. But without US approval, Operation Oblivion was cancelled on 26 January 1945. The Japanese suddenly surrendered on 15 August while Wing awaited reassignment. With no repatriation plan for the men, they had to work their way home on freighters.
Wing completed the intensive Force 136 paramilitary training that ran seven days a week from 6AM-9PM. On 1 October 1944, the main group sailed for Melbourne, Australia, for further instruction in the use of Japanese weapons, jungle warfare, parachute drops, surveillance, and submarine infiltration.
November 9, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Wing completed the intensive Force 136 paramilitary training that ran seven days a week from 6AM-9PM. On 1 October 1944, the main group sailed for Melbourne, Australia, for further instruction in the use of Japanese weapons, jungle warfare, parachute drops, surveillance, and submarine infiltration.
In 1944, Mike Kendall summoned Wing Wong to Vancouver for an interview because of his signals training and language ability. He was one of the last to join the Operation Oblivion group. Reminiscing 44 years later, he recalled the reaction of the other men, saying, "The young punks called me, Dad."
November 9, 2025 at 9:43 PM
In 1944, Mike Kendall summoned Wing Wong to Vancouver for an interview because of his signals training and language ability. He was one of the last to join the Operation Oblivion group. Reminiscing 44 years later, he recalled the reaction of the other men, saying, "The young punks called me, Dad."
Like many Canadians facing similar hardships, Wing enlisted in Regina in 1941. He lied about his age — because he was too old. Wing took basic training at No. 110 CABTC in Vernon, BC, then went to Canadian Signal Training Centre in Barriefield, ON. Afterwards, he was remustered to the Artillery.
November 9, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Like many Canadians facing similar hardships, Wing enlisted in Regina in 1941. He lied about his age — because he was too old. Wing took basic training at No. 110 CABTC in Vernon, BC, then went to Canadian Signal Training Centre in Barriefield, ON. Afterwards, he was remustered to the Artillery.
Born in 1901, Wing came to Canada around when he was 9. He first worked as a houseboy in missionary homes, receiving some schooling. Several years later, he moved to the Prairies, acquiring a farm and a restaurant. Fire gutted the restaurant, drought and the Great Depression destroyed the farm.
November 9, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Born in 1901, Wing came to Canada around when he was 9. He first worked as a houseboy in missionary homes, receiving some schooling. Several years later, he moved to the Prairies, acquiring a farm and a restaurant. Fire gutted the restaurant, drought and the Great Depression destroyed the farm.
#LestWeForget🍁 Wing Lee Wong (1901–1992) was one of 13 Chinese Canadians recruited by Mike Kendall for Operation Oblivion, a covert #SOE mission in southern China under #Force136. At 43, he was the oldest of the group and the only one not born in Canada.
#WWII #CanadianHistory #RemembranceDay
#WWII #CanadianHistory #RemembranceDay
November 9, 2025 at 9:43 PM
#LestWeForget🍁 Wing Lee Wong (1901–1992) was one of 13 Chinese Canadians recruited by Mike Kendall for Operation Oblivion, a covert #SOE mission in southern China under #Force136. At 43, he was the oldest of the group and the only one not born in Canada.
#WWII #CanadianHistory #RemembranceDay
#WWII #CanadianHistory #RemembranceDay
With no plan to repatriate the Chinese Canadians from Australia, the Force 136 group were left to find their own way home; typically, working for their passage on freighters. After the war, Norman married Marjorie Kerr, author of "The Dragon and the Maple Leaf: Chinese Canadians in World War II".
November 8, 2025 at 9:03 PM
With no plan to repatriate the Chinese Canadians from Australia, the Force 136 group were left to find their own way home; typically, working for their passage on freighters. After the war, Norman married Marjorie Kerr, author of "The Dragon and the Maple Leaf: Chinese Canadians in World War II".
Finishing the basic paramilitary course, the Force 136 contingent sailed to Australia for schooling in Japanese weapons, surveillance, jungle warfare, parachute drops, and submarine landing. Oblivion was cancelled in January 1945. Norman was awaiting reassignment when the war ended on August 15.
November 8, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Finishing the basic paramilitary course, the Force 136 contingent sailed to Australia for schooling in Japanese weapons, surveillance, jungle warfare, parachute drops, and submarine landing. Oblivion was cancelled in January 1945. Norman was awaiting reassignment when the war ended on August 15.
Upon The Fusiliers return from Kiska, they readied for posting overseas. Norman was not to join them. He was sent for an interview with Mike Kendall at the Hotel Vancouver instead, where he signed on to Force 136. Joining the Oblivion team at Commando Bay, he was promoted to Senior Staff Sergeant.
November 8, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Upon The Fusiliers return from Kiska, they readied for posting overseas. Norman was not to join them. He was sent for an interview with Mike Kendall at the Hotel Vancouver instead, where he signed on to Force 136. Joining the Oblivion team at Commando Bay, he was promoted to Senior Staff Sergeant.
Norman's CO had issued a notice to all troops that the Oriental with them was not Japanese but Chinese. When they landed on Kiska on 16 August 1943, the Japanese had already evacuated. Norman was recalled to Vernon from Kiska on November 21. He next took a jungle warfare course in Prince George.
November 8, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Norman's CO had issued a notice to all troops that the Oriental with them was not Japanese but Chinese. When they landed on Kiska on 16 August 1943, the Japanese had already evacuated. Norman was recalled to Vernon from Kiska on November 21. He next took a jungle warfare course in Prince George.
Norman was part of the transfer of 10,000 German PoWs from New York City to new camps in Alberta. Later, he was deployed with the 13th Canadian Infantry Brigade for Operation Cottage — a combined US-Canadian campaign for the retaking of Attu and Kiska in the Aleutian Islands from the Japanese.
November 8, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Norman was part of the transfer of 10,000 German PoWs from New York City to new camps in Alberta. Later, he was deployed with the 13th Canadian Infantry Brigade for Operation Cottage — a combined US-Canadian campaign for the retaking of Attu and Kiska in the Aleutian Islands from the Japanese.
Like Eddie Chow, Norman had tried to enlist in the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1941 without success. Although he was not refused, there was a long waiting list. He was called up under National Resources Mobilization Act in 1942 and was posted to The Canadian Fusiliers (City of London Regiment).
November 8, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Like Eddie Chow, Norman had tried to enlist in the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1941 without success. Although he was not refused, there was a long waiting list. He was called up under National Resources Mobilization Act in 1942 and was posted to The Canadian Fusiliers (City of London Regiment).
#LestWeForget🍁 Wreath for Chinese Canadians to be Laid at University of Toronto Soldiers’ Tower
Join Keith Lock (son of Sgt. Tom Lock) & Rick Wong (son of Sgt. Hank Wong) for the University of Toronto's November 11 2025 Service of Remembrance: alumni.utoronto.ca/community/so....
#SOE #Force136
Join Keith Lock (son of Sgt. Tom Lock) & Rick Wong (son of Sgt. Hank Wong) for the University of Toronto's November 11 2025 Service of Remembrance: alumni.utoronto.ca/community/so....
#SOE #Force136
November 7, 2025 at 8:23 PM
#LestWeForget🍁 Wreath for Chinese Canadians to be Laid at University of Toronto Soldiers’ Tower
Join Keith Lock (son of Sgt. Tom Lock) & Rick Wong (son of Sgt. Hank Wong) for the University of Toronto's November 11 2025 Service of Remembrance: alumni.utoronto.ca/community/so....
#SOE #Force136
Join Keith Lock (son of Sgt. Tom Lock) & Rick Wong (son of Sgt. Hank Wong) for the University of Toronto's November 11 2025 Service of Remembrance: alumni.utoronto.ca/community/so....
#SOE #Force136
Oblivion was cancelled on 26 January 1945. While Chow awaited reassignment in Australia, the war suddenly ended. He & the others had to make their own way home. When Eddie returned to Toronto in January 1946, he was the only soldier on the train. City Controller, John Innes, welcomed him home.
November 7, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Oblivion was cancelled on 26 January 1945. While Chow awaited reassignment in Australia, the war suddenly ended. He & the others had to make their own way home. When Eddie returned to Toronto in January 1946, he was the only soldier on the train. City Controller, John Innes, welcomed him home.
On October 1, Eddie and the others not chosen for an advanced wireless course, set sail from San Francisco for Australia. The Oblivion recruits underwent further schooling in Japanese weapons, surveillance, jungle warfare, parachute training, and infiltration by submarine.
November 7, 2025 at 5:36 PM
On October 1, Eddie and the others not chosen for an advanced wireless course, set sail from San Francisco for Australia. The Oblivion recruits underwent further schooling in Japanese weapons, surveillance, jungle warfare, parachute training, and infiltration by submarine.
From June to August 1944, Chow underwent intensive paramilitary training at a temporary Lake Okanagan camp, seven days a week. Some recruits first had to learn to swim, while others needed Cantonese lessons. Eddie entertained the group in the evenings with one-man shows of songs and gymnastics.
November 7, 2025 at 5:36 PM
From June to August 1944, Chow underwent intensive paramilitary training at a temporary Lake Okanagan camp, seven days a week. Some recruits first had to learn to swim, while others needed Cantonese lessons. Eddie entertained the group in the evenings with one-man shows of songs and gymnastics.
In 1944, Eddie was sent to Toronto for an interview with Mike Kendall. Because he thought he had been ordered to volunteer, he did. As Eddie maintained, in the army when you were ordered to do something, you did it without question.
November 7, 2025 at 5:36 PM
In 1944, Eddie was sent to Toronto for an interview with Mike Kendall. Because he thought he had been ordered to volunteer, he did. As Eddie maintained, in the army when you were ordered to do something, you did it without question.