EMILE VAN RAES

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EMILE VAN RAES My dear husband "Van" passed away February 2, 2003 at Peterborough Regional Health Centre after four years of failing health. Born Jean Emile Auguste Van Raes on October 12, 1920 to Jean Van Raes and Josephine Dandurand. "Van" (as he was known) grew up and lived in St. Vital and St. Boniface most of his life. Emile is survived and will be greatly missed by his wife and best friend Floris (Ferguson) of over 34 years. His only son David Ferguson Van Raes (Ginette), Pamela (Alan Reimer), Cheryl (Gerard Noonan), and Floris daughter Marilyn (Jacob Van Dam). Also surviving are his sisters, Marie-Paule (Vivien DuBois) of France, and Louise (Frank Collins) of Burnaby, BC. Ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Emile was predeceased by his first wife Gloria DuQuesnay in 1968; his parents, Jean and Josephine Van Raes; his brother Rene; and his sister Cecile Hermary. On September 2, 1939 at the age of 18, Emile joined the Winnipeg Grenadiers, as news of the Second World War broke out. He was first stationed in the Carribean and then sent to Hong Kong to fight alongside the British. The Winnipeg Grenadiers were subsequently posted to the island of Hong Kong. Their mission was to protect Hong Kong from foreign invasion. In one of the fiercest battles of the Second World War these troops were put under attack in an attempt to gain control of Hong Kong territories. These men were distinguished in this battle, but ultimately were overwhelmed and were captured by Japanese troops on Christmas Day in 1941. As a Prisoner of War, he was subjected to incredible hardships and intolerable conditions. The Hong Kong Veteran captives were some of the most harshly treated prisoners of any war. Following the surrender of Japan the surviving prisoners were released after having spent three years and eight months in captivity. After recuperating for a year, Emile went to work for the C.N.R. - Transcona Shops in Winnipeg. He retired after 35 years of service. In his retirement he enjoyed 23 years of cottage life at Falcon and Star Lake and 12 winters in Arizona. Throughout his life "Van" enjoyed many happy times with his many friends in the Belgian and French communities. "Van" was a member of the Belgium Club, Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 107 and the Hong Kong Veterans Association. Today we lost a very honest, sincere, good living person. May God Bless and keep him. A memorial service will be held in Winnipeg in the near future and will be announced.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 04, 2003