On August 15, 2010, the 65th anniversary of the end of the war between Canada and Japan, the Pacific Theatre of World War II, I cannot help but think of my late father. Gunner Stanley Weston, Federated Malay Volunteer Forces #13875, found himself working in Kuala Lumpur, Malaya, now known as Malaysia, when on December 7, 1941, the Japanese struck Pearl Harbour, Hong Kong, Malaya, and other Allied territories. Like others who served in this campaign, his tour of active duty was short. In early 1942, he was captured in Singapore. For almost four long years my mother, then his fiancée, did not know if he was dead or alive. He endured innumerable torture and privations at the hands of his captors. Among other things, he was forced to provide slave labour on the famous ‘Bridge Across the River Kwai’ Railway. He had his appendix removed by a doctor using only a razor blade.
Stan Weston was fortunate to return alive and in one of the most romantic true-life stories I know, married my mother only days thereafter, in a small ceremony at Ryerson United Church, in Vancouver, on Halloween Day, 1945. After the honeymoon, he was treated in hospital for six months as he completed his recovery – my late mother swore the long term in hospital had nothing to do with the honeymoon.
One interesting thing about my father’s experience was his ability to forgive his captors. One of the few things I recall his telling me was that the “Japanese were as tough on themselves as they were on us.” Somehow he’d rationalized the treatment he received in a way that allowed him to transcend the anger and live day to day during his captivity, then to take that forgiveness with him when he was released. Though he never forgot, I believe his ability to forgive enabled him to survive his wartime experience.
On this sombre anniversary, let us forgive, but never forget.
John Weston, Member of Parliament
West Vancouver – Sunshine Coast – Sea to Sky Country
