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.

Artifact Record

Japanese Arisaka Type 38 rifle and Type 30 Bayonet

Canadian sailor Fernand Paquin collected this rifle and bayonet following the official surrender ceremony for Hong Kong in September 1945.

This Arisaka rifle and bayonet were part of the equipment of the Japanese Special Naval Landing Forces, who provided Japanese Vice Admiral Ruitaro Fujita's honour guard at the surrender, and who were required to disarm themselves afterwards. Paquin, who formed part of the Canadian guard at the ceremonies, was able to acquire the rifle and bayonet, as well as a helmet.

Rifle, Arisaka, Japanese Type 38
Bayonet, Japanese Type 30

CWM 20070065-003
CWM 20070065-002