C Force was attached to the reserve holding Hong Kong island and as such did not see action when the Japanese attacked the Gin Drinkers Line on 7 December 1941. To defend Hong Kong island was the West Brigade under Brigadier-General Cedric Wallis which included the Royal Rifles of Canada battalion and the East Brigade under Brigadier-General John K. Lawson which included the Winnipeg Grenadiers. On 6 December 1941, Maltby received a report from the Hong Kong Constabulary saying that refugees from China were reporting an unusual concentration of Japanese troops just outside of the New Territories.