George Peterson, one of the only surviving Arden Avenue veterans of the Battle of Hong Kong, joins Premier Greg Selinger and Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz at an unveiling of plans for a new commemorative plaza in St. Vital on Friday, August 16, 2013. (BERNICE PONTANILLA / METRO WINNIPEG)
A new park plaza in St. Vital will honour seven young men from Arden Avenue who fought during the Battle of Hong Kong in 1941.
The men served in the Winnipeg Grenadiers during the Second World War and included Fred Abrahams (also known as Fred Harting), Bill Lancaster, twin brothers George and Morris Peterson, and brothers Alfred, Edward and Harry Shayler. All seven were captured and survived the Battle of Hong Kong.
“We are proud to honour the seven young men who as friends, neighbours and comrades joined our armed forces to battle, under the most horrific conditions, for the freedom that we now enjoy,” Premier Greg Selinger said on Friday.
“The peace and tranquility of this new interpretive plaza will be an appropriate place to reflect and remind all those who visit of the courage and dedication of these men. We will remember them.”
The $75,000 interpretative plaza will be located in Jules Mager Park at the corner of St. Michael Road and River Road. It will feature seven chairs symbolizing the seven friends who served together, landscaped berms and retaining walls, pathways and commemorative plaques in both official languages telling their story.
The announcement was made alongside Mayor Sam Katz at the Viscount Gort Hotel, where the national convention of the Hong Kong Veterans Commemorative Association is being held.
