When I reflect on this story about George Sing's ten year battle to bring his sons Gee and Get to Saskatchewan set against the backdrop of the Second Sino-Japanese War where twenty million Chinese died, I'm reminded of another sorry tale in Canadian immigration history. A high-level immigration official, when asked how many Jews should be admitted to Canada during the Second World War, said, “None is too many.” This xenophobic quote has been ascribed to Prime Minister William Lyon MacKenzie King and Immigration Director Frederick Blair and is probably neither but shows the attitude at the highest levels of government. Canadian Immigration, helmed by Blair, was deaf to the pleas of Canadians desperate to shelter their relatives living under the threat of war and too many died as a result of his "careful control" of Canada's borders.
Category: Stories of WWII
Research and stories from WWII
First and Second World War Files at LAC and Ancestry
On Remembrance Day I share my two most recent posts on the World Wars, PLUS Ancestry's free military collection offer, good to Nov 12th.
Requesting Second World War Files from LAC in Oct 2021: what you need to know now
In this post I share my experience in a recent application for a Second World War military service file, and then look at the surprising depth of military files online at Library and Archives Canada
We shall never forget – 12 posts on war and family history
My collection of a dozen posts and stories for Remembrance Day
Our families in WWII: The 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day
The Toronto Sun interviews Lesley Anderson and I about our families in WWII
Women’s History Month – Lily’s War
For Womens History Month, I look at the hidden story of Lily's time in WWII.
The Office of the Custodian of Enemy Property – genealogical documents for Japanese Canadians
I tell you about the Office of the Custodian of Enemy Property - what it was, who was in it, where the docs are, and how to navigate thousands of records.
Force 136 like you’ve never seen them – in living colour
I'm super excited to share today's post with you. Last week, I told you there would be a big surprise. HERE IT IS. Val Erde chose this photo to bring to life. Her research, talent and artistry literally brought tears to my eyes. It felt like the next best thing to actually being there behind… Continue reading Force 136 like you’ve never seen them – in living colour
Force 136 goes to London and takes some holiday snaps – a pictorial story of WWII
In March, 1945, a group of Chinese men travelled to London, England. It was the penultimate stop on their way to Poona, India. They had enlisted in the top-secret South East Asia Command (SEAC), known in India as "Force 136," and had completed basic training at Shilo, Manitoba. From Manitoba they boarded trains for the eastern… Continue reading Force 136 goes to London and takes some holiday snaps – a pictorial story of WWII
The James Bonds of Chinatown: meet Force 136
My uncle's secret identity as a super spy