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On a clear, cool, day in October 1945 a train pulled into the Canadian National Railway Station in Sherbrooke, Quebec, and my Dad stepped onto the platform. Though I hadn't seen him in about five years I knew him. Some things you just don't forget. There to greet him were my Mother, Beryl, my sister Cynthia, and me. Dad's Mother, Father his sister and a whole group of friends were there also. It was an indescribably great day.

Acknowledgements ...

Everyone who undertakes to write anything cannot do it alone. I, more than most, needed the support and help of my family, friends and other people who made my writings possible. I want to thank them here for their generous gift of time, energy and input. They are ...

My Dad. With the benefit of hindsight I realize he led the life of a good man. He was a loving husband, a great father, a kind and gentle man who set an example for others to follow. He wore size 8 shoes ... but they are hard to fill. His notes, clippings and diaries supplied most of what has been written here.

My wife, Darlene Cliche. Her patience with me during the years it took me to put this site together is much appreciated. Her critiques, her editing skills, her way of looking at things helped me in too many ways to list here.

To Pamela Parker, my daughter. Her computer skills, and her generous gift of time and energy made it happen. Her two children will now know their Grampa Parker.

To Mark Parker, my son. I felt I should put the tribute to my Dad and to all those with whom he endured so much, so that he could understand what his Grampa went through as a man, a husband and a father, and what I had to go through as his son.

To Tony Banham. Tony is, in my estimation, one of the outstanding authorities on the Battle of Hong Kong. He provided help when help was most needed, and guidance when I sometimes went astray. Any errors are all mine and were made because I didn't always listen to him.. His web site is at www.hongkongwardiary.com , a worthwhile site to visit.

To Phil Dodderidge. Another source of information which was invaluable.He gave me some personal insight into my Dad's character. He was my Dad's "Radar" from M.A.S.H. (the TV show). www.oocities.org/phildoddridge

To Carol Hadley, who also provided help as needed. www.hkvca.ca

To Claire Hachey. Links to her sites have made this site much better. Her generous support has been exceptional.

A very special thank you to my brother-in-law, Richard Cliche. His superb eye for page design and layout have made this a website of which I am very proud. Thank you for your patience and hard work, time and energy.

What more can I say to all of them than ... Thank you.

Ronald Parker, May 22, 2002

Technically there were no American combatants during the battle for Hong Kong, but they played a huge role in building, and maintaining morale with bombing runs which lifted the spirits of the prisoners even though it endangered their lives.

The message inherent in this tribute is spelled out in "The Other Side of Time, a Combat Surgeon in World War II", a book by Brendan Phibbs whom I quote here. He wrote ...

“We have a Division Association and a monthly newsletter that keeps us all writing and talking and meeting, but in every issue the "In Memoriam" list grows longer and with it the knowledge that we'll soon be washed over the edge of history, remote as Gustavus Adolphus's prayerful gunners or the legions of Julian the Apostate. What we were and what we did, at our best, and what happened around us, is slipping out of knowledge. That's a pity. Please, young people, listen to us before we leave.”