Name |
Value |
Date of Issue |
November 8, 1991 |
Year |
1991
|
Quantity |
3,750,000 |
Denomination |
40¢
|
Perforation or Dimension |
13.5 |
Series |
The Second World War, 1941, Total War
|
Series Time Span |
1991 |
Printer |
Canadian Bank Note Company, Limited. |
Postal Administration |
Canada |
Condition |
Avg Value |
M-NH-VF
|
Only available to paid users |
U-VF
|
Only available to paid users |
* Notes about these prices:
- They are not based on catalogue values but on current dealer and auction listings. The reason for this is that catalogues tend to over-value stamps.
- They are average prices. The actual value of your stamp may be slightly above or below the listed value, depending on the overall condition of your stamp. Use these prices as a guide to determine the approximate value of your stamps.
Official First Day Cover
Quantity Produced -
Unknown
Canada Post Corporation's on-going tribute to heroic achievements and sacrifices of Canadians during World War II continues with a set of four stamps marking 1941, the first year of "Total War". The stamps will be issued on November 8, to complement Remembrance Day ceremonies on the 11th. The Canadian Army's first real battle of the war ended in disaster at the British colony of Hong Kong. As early as the 1920's, the British knew that Hong Kong could not be defended in a war with Japan. But in 1941 the commander of the colony, having underestimated the Japanese Army and overestimating his forces' ability, convinced the British government that suitable reinforcements could hold the territory. As British troops were deployed elsewhere, Winston Churchill requested that Canadian troops be sent. Prime Minister MacKenzie King readily complied. The government selected two battalions, the Royal Rifles of Canada and Winnipeg Grenadiers. However, both units had recently returned from garrison duties and were not fully trained for combat. C Force, as the Canadian contingent was known, was also hampered by the fact that it lacked anti-tank rifles and mortar ammunition and sailed without its motorized transport. The landed in Hong Kong on November 16, 1941 and did not have time to complete their training before the powerful Japanese Army attacked on December 8. The 1975 brave Canadians bore the brunt of the battle and lost 290 men in an heroic but helpless cause. Sergeant-Major John Osborne won a posthumous Victoria Cross for throwing himself on an enemy grenade to his men. Surrender came on Christmas Day, but a further 267 Canadians died in brutal and degrading captivity before the survivors returned home in 1945.
Designed by Pierre-Yves Pelletier.
Canada Post Corporation. Canada's Stamps Details, No. 4, 1991, p. 12-13.
Did you notice an error in this stamp's information?
Do you have any interesting information about this stamp that you would like to share?
Please
click here to send us an email with the details.