Canada's Naval History

The Second World War
War in the Pacific and South East Asia - The Pacific, the Indian Ocean, and Hong Kong

During the Second World War in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, some Canadians and Canadian ships served with Britain's Royal Navy fighting against Japan. After helping Canadian soldiers reinforce Hong Kong in 1941, the Royal Canadian Navy returned in 1945 and helped repatriate Canadian prisoners of war.

Liberated Prisoner of War Coming Aboard HMCS Prince Robert

Prince Robert, seen here in Manila, the Philippines, helped repatriate Canadians who had been held prisoner by the Japanese since December 1941.

In this photograph, members of HMCS Prince Robert's crew help lift a former prisoner of war on a stretcher (centre) out of the American landing craft (right) that has brought him to the ship. After experiencing poor living conditions, malnutrition, disease, and abuse, many were in poor health, and required extensive medical attention. Captivity had enduring medical consequences for many survivors, even after their liberation.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 19870211-171