Private James “Jimmy” Moar was born in Crane River in 1915, and was one of 15 children. He moved to Swan River after completing grade five, to work, and then back to Crane River. In 1941, James and his brother, John, walked over 160 kilometers to Swan River to enlist in the Canadian Army.

James was stationed to Hong Kong and became part of the Winnipeg Grenadiers. The Empire of Japan forces began bombing Hong Kong, shortly after his arrival there. On December 19, he was wounded by a piece of shrapnel, then on Christmas Day, Hong Kong surrendered to the Japanese forces. James and several others became prisoners of war (POW).
Moar survived, returned to Canada and retired to The Pas where he lived until his passing in 2000.

Read the rest of the story in this week’s Review.