Sawmills

Interview with Gurbaksh Singh Dhaliwal. Gurbaksh Singh Dhaliwal was born on August 28, 1934 in the village of Chananwal, district Sangrur, Punjab. Gurbaksh Singh was accompanied by his mother, Gurdev Kaur Dhaliwal, and uncle, Balwant Singh Dhaliwal when he arrived in Mission, BC on October 27, 1948. The family came to join his father Hari Singh Dhaliwal. Gurbaksh Singh speaks about his experiences growing up in Canada and working in both sawmills and as a truck driver for his family's business.

Transciption of an interview with Gurbaksh Singh Dhaliwal. Gurbaksh Singh Dhaliwal was born on August 28, 1934 in the village of Chananwal, district Sangrur, Punjab. Gurbaksh Singh was accompanied by his mother, Gurdev Kaur Dhaliwal, and uncle, Balwant Singh Dhaliwal when he arrived in Mission, BC on October 27, 1948. The family came to join his father Hari Singh Dhaliwal. Gurbaksh Singh speaks about his experiences growing up in Canada and working in both sawmills and as a truck driver for his family's business.

Narrative of Gurbaksh Singh Dhaliwal was born on August 28, 1934 in the village of Chananwal, district Sangrur, Punjab. Gurbaksh Singh was accompanied by his mother, Gurdev Kaur Dhaliwal, and uncle, Balwant Singh Dhaliwal when he arrived in Mission, BC on October 27, 1948. The family came to join his father Hari Singh Dhaliwal. Gurbaksh Singh speaks about his experiences growing up in Canada and working in both sawmills and as a truck driver for his family's business.

Interview with Sohan Singh Deo. Sohan Singh Deo is the son of Pritam Singh Deo and grandson of Asa Singh Deo. He was born on April 25, 1939 in the village of Kharaudi, District Hoshiarpur, Punjab. Sohan Singh's grandfather, Asa Singh Deo, was the first member of their family to arrive in Canada in 1906. Almost half a century after his grandfather, Sohan Singh came to Canada in 1963 with his wife, Naseeb Kaur Deo and their daughter of six months. By 1963 most of Sohan Singh's in-laws were well established in Vancouver so when he arrived with his family, they all lived together. He first started working at a saw mill full time earning around $7-$8 an hour. The family went on to slowly grow as they settled in Vancouver. The couple had three more children: Rajinder Kaur born in 1964, Davinder Singh born in 1966 and Balbir Kaur born in 1969.

Interview with Pritam Singh Deo. Pritam Singh speaks about his father, Asa Singh Deo. Pritam Singh speaks about his father's immigration to Canada and America, and his envolvement with the Ghadr Party. He also speaks about his own service in the army in India.

Transcription of an interview with Pritam Singh Deo, son of Asa Singh Deo, and father of Sohan Singh Deo. Pritam Singh speaks about his father's immigration to Canada and America, and his envolvement with the Ghadr Party. He also speaks about his own service in the army in India.

Narrative of Sohan Singh Deo who was born on April 25, 1939 in the village of Kharaudi, District Hoshiarpur, Punjab. Sohan Singh's grandfather, Asa Singh Deo, was the first member of their family to arrive in Canada in 1906. Almost half a century after his grandfather, Sohan Singh came to Canada in 1963 with his wife, Naseeb Kaur Deo and their daughter of six months. By 1963, most of Sohan Singh's in-laws were well established in Vancouver, so when he arrived with his family, they all lived together. He first started working at a sawmill full-time earning around $7-$8 an hour. The family went on to slowly grow as they settled in Vancouver. Naseeb Kaur had three more children: Rajinder Kaur born in 1964, Davinder Singh born in 1966 and Balbir Kaur born in 1969. Raising a family of four children kept Naseeb Kaur very occupied so there was no need for her to work until later on. Sohan Singh has always been an active community member. He became very involved when he founded the Khalsa Sporting Club, a semi- pro soccer club in 1964 that worked towards bringin the Indian community together and influenced the social and cultural decisions of the community.

Narrative of Asa Singh Deo who was born on January 18, 1890 in the village of Kharaudi, District Hoshiarpur. When he departed Punjab to come to North America, he was travelling with ten to fifteen villagers from the Mahalpur area including, Tara Singh Siddoo who accompanied him in pursuit of a better life in Canada. He was one of the only English speaking settler and became responsible for locating jobs in British Columbia for the others Punjabi immigrants. During those days, jobs were limited, so Asa Singh, being the only Indian worker at a local saw mill, would acquire work at the mill for others during difficult times. Eventually, Asa Singh became in charge since he spoke the English language and after working for a couple of years, in 1912, he returned to India with Tara Singh to visit his family for a few years. During this time he got married to Dhanni Kaur and had a son, Pritam Singh, who was born on December 8, 1917. In 1934, Asa Singh passed away suddenly at the very young age of 44 years old.

Interview with Sohan Singh Birak. Sohan Singh Birak came to Canada on May 3rd, 1960. His sister Kashmir Kaur Johal, who had arrived in Canada in 1956, sponsered him. When Sohan first came to Canada, he lived in Lake Cowichan for 6 months, then in 1960, he moved to Abbotsford. Sohan worked in a farm, Marris Growers on Townline Road from 1960-63. Sohan Singh Birak married Bachni Kaur Mander at the Paldi Gurdwara on July 13, 1969. He sponsored her from India before marriage and she arrived in Canada on June 23, 1969. In this interview Sohan Singh describes his experiences moving to Canada and the type of work he did once he arrived.

Transcription of an interview with Sohan Singh Birak. Sohan Singh Birak came to Canada on May 3rd, 1960. His sister Kashmir Kaur Johal, who had arrived in Canada in 1956, sponsered him. When Sohan first came to Canada, he lived in Lake Cowichan for 6 months, then in 1960, he moved to Abbotsford. Sohan worked in a farm, Marris Growers on Townline Road from 1960-63. Sohan Singh Birak married Bachni Kaur Mander at the Paldi Gurdwara on July 13, 1969. He sponsored her from India before marriage and she arrived in Canada on June 23, 1969. In this interview Sohan Singh describes his experiences moving to Canada and the type of work he did once he arrived.