Dr. Po Tin Chak, SBStJ

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Dr. Po Tin Chak, SBStJ, who, at 15 years of age, joined the St. John Ambulance Brigade of Hong Kong in 1937. His father, Tai-Kwong Chak (翟大光), was a founding member of SJA in Hong Kong at the start of the 20th century. While his brother, Paul Chak (翟保羅), and sister, Pauline Chak Chan (翟寶蓮) were founding members of the SJA Causeway Bay Division in the 1950s.

When World War 2 broke out, Dr. Po Tin Chak was transferred to the Military Division of the Brigade which was attached to the Royal Army Medical Corps. On December 8, 1941, the Japanese Imperial Army invaded Hong Kong where allied forces, including Canada, fought The Battle of Hong Kong to protect the British colony for two weeks, but were outmanned and outgunned 4 to 1.

The young Chak was positioned at the Collinson Battery (歌連臣角炮台), Cape Collinson in Chai Wan (柴灣), when the invaders landed there. The Collinson Battery defenders and the medical personnel were in full retreat, and even grenades were handed out to slow down the Japanese Imperial Army, but Po Tin Chak wasn’t trained in warfare, as he was trained in saving lives.

They came upon a first aid station with an ambulance, and since Chak already knew how to drive, he was tasked with driving the wounded to a field hospital at St. Stephen’s College (聖士提反書院), but went to Stanley Fort (赤柱炮台) instead. That miscalculation saved his life and the wounded individuals he was carrying, as the invading army stormed St. Stephen’s College hours before the surrender, and murdered the defenseless medical staff, wounded military, and civilians. The following day, Po Tin Chak went to St. Stephen’s College to seek the wounded, but instead became one of the few who witnessed the aftermath of the bloodstained campus. He was formally captured by the Japanese on December 25, 1941 at Stanley Fort, as the Governor of Hong Kong, Mark Aitchison Young, surrendered to the Japanese army.

Dr. Chak survived the Battle of Hong Kong, the horrors of the “St. Stephen's College Massacre” on Christmas Day, and the Sham Shui Po POW camp where he was interned at, with 9 other members of his entire team, including his British team leader, Mr. Potter. Mr. Potter sadly did not survive the POW camp as he was shot and killed during internment. Dr. Chak also met many young Canadian service members during the internment. When they were liberated, Dr. Chak along with 99 comrades signed a handkerchief. This historic artifact was displayed in Vancouver, BC at the Chinese Canadian Military Museum’s “Battle of Hong Kong” exhibit in 2016 to commemorate the 75th anniversary; and is now archived in the Bay De Chaleur Military Museum in Quebec.

The Battle of Hong Kong was Canada's first engagement in the Pacific Theatre during the Second World War, and when the Japanese military simultaneously attacked Pearl Harbor. 290 Canadians soldiers were lost with another 264 not surviving the POW camps. St. John Ambulance lost 56 fellow brothers and sisters during the Battle of Hong Kong.

From his Certificate of Service, Dr. Po Tin Chak was released nearly a year later due to his non-combatant status. After the end of World War 2, he received the Insignia of Serving Brother of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem at an investiture at Government House in Hong Kong on January 20, 1949.

Dr. Chak studied medicine in 1945 and became a surgeon after the Second World War, and eventually moved his family to Vancouver in the 1980s to raise his family. Dr. Chak celebrated his 99th birthday with 4 generations of his family and 4 members of St. John Ambulance BC/Yukon in late July. Then on August 22, 2021, Dr. Chak shared time with loved ones and 2 fellow members of St. John Ambulance BC/Yukon in the hours before his final sun set. Dr. Chak is today survived by his wife of 68 years, Dr. Duen Yeng Chak; siblings, Dr. Po Yan Chak and Mabel Chak; son, Danny Chak; daughter, Colleen Au; and his 3 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

With the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Hong Kong coming this December 2021, we remember and honour Dr. Po Tin Chak, SBStJ. Lest We Forget Pro Fide, Pro Utilitate Hominum*

*The Motto of the Order of St. John is "Pro Fide, Pro Utilitate Hominum", which means “For the Faith, In the Service of Humanity”.

Quotes:

“The passing of Dr. Po Tin Chak MStJ, has left a huge hole in St. John Ambulance and in the lives of his Family, Friends and Mankind! I am so pleased I was able to meet my “Brother” Dr. Po Tin Chak at the celebration of his 99th year and present him with one of my personal Commissioner Coins. May he Rest In Peace and may his Family take comfort and find peace in all that he brought to so many through his dedication and service throughout his lifetime. “Pro Fide, Pro Utilitate Hominum” my Brother! ”

- Mr. David Valentine, OStJ, CD, AdeC

Provincial Commissioner

St. John Ambulance BC/Yukon Brigade

“I am tremendously saddened for the loss of Dr. Chak Po Tin, who had been serving St. John in Hong Kong and overseas tirelessly and wholeheartedly. Dr. Chak will be missed and he will never be forgotten, may his soul rest in peace. ”

- Mr. POON Sun-Biu, Alfred, CStJ

Commissioner

Hong Kong St. John Ambulance Brigade

“翟寶田醫生一生致力服務社會，於1937年已加入香港聖約翰救傷隊，及至其後服務海外的聖約翰團體，經歷不平凡一生。本人謹代表香港聖約翰救傷隊仝人對翟醫生致以最深的敬意及其家人最深切的慰問。”

香港聖約翰救傷隊總監

潘新標先生, CStJ

For more on Dr. Po Tin Chak, SBStJ, and the Battle of Hong Kong, please visit the St. John Ambulance Burnaby Division Youtube Channel, where our World War 2 veterans’ stories are told: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvRnu3PfDKkrRRhxdMR_TBw/playlists

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