19 February 1993
000/1
RECEIVED IN RECISTRY
C MAR 1993
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
PA
REGISTRY Action Take
Mr David J Carter Speaker of the Legislative
Assembly of Alberta Legislature Building Edmonton
Alberta T5K 2B6
20
British High Commission
Ottawa
80 Elgin Street Ottawa KIP 5K7
From the High Commissioner
Н Mr Bunte
My dear Speaker,
asracten
Thank you very much for sending me and my Consul-General in Vancouver the text of a motion recognising the unfailing courage, bravery and sacrifice demonstrated by Canadian soldiers in defence of Hong Kong in 1941, which was passed in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta on 2 February 1993. I have sent a copy of the motion to the relevant authorities in the United Kingdom.
I deeply regret the way in which recent media coverage has highlighted, out of context, the adverse comments of the late Major-General Maltby and his colleagues who compiled the report of events which took place in Hong Kong in 1941. I enclose a Note of General Maltby's Despatch which has been prepared by the Historical Branch (Army) of the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence and which attempts to set the tragic events of 1941 in their historical context.
I should like to take this opportunity to pay a personal tribute to the gallantry of the men of the Royal Rifles and Winnipeg Grenadiers who joined in the defence of Hong Kong in 1941 with such conspicuous bravery. Their sacrifice is not, and will no be, forgotten.
Your
л
Mindy
Nicholas Dayne Этре
Nicholas Bayne