Mills and mill-work

Creator: Dhaliwal, Paul Singh

Interview with Mr. Paul Singh Dhaliwal describing his life, particularly focusing on his move to Canada and the changes he faced. Mr. Dhaliwal's father lived in Canada for several years but died before bringing his family to Canada. Paul Singh came to Canada in 1932 at the age of 16 and lived with his uncle, Bhagat Singh. While on his journey to Canada he met some people who helped him cook his food and get his health examination done. He and his uncle used to work at Greenlake Mill. After that mill shut down in winter, he lived with his uncle in Abbotsford where his uncle had property and a house, before going to Ducan to work at Hillcrest mill. During the Second World War, Dhaliwal attempted to sign up for service, but was denied after taking the medical exams. During the war, it was easy for him to find work. After the war, and after the British left, it was easier for him to travel to India and back. In 1945, he was spotted by an American promoter while wrestling and he was given a passport, allowing him to travel. He went from place to place and wrestled in high profiled matches. He made hundreds of dollars per match. In 1950 he decided to quit wrestling and was married. Afterward, he focused mostly on his trucking business. This is a full length interview recorded at Mr. Paul's residence.

Interview with Mr. Nand Singh Banga. Mr Nand Singh Banga moved to Canada in 1906 when he was 14 years old with his father. His father used to work as green chain lumber sorters. Nand Singh used to pick up cordwood waste so it would not be in the way. He used to work for fifteen cents per hour in the year 1920. Around that time, there was a minimum of 100 men in the Sikh community. Nand Singh describes a time when the cars were driven on the left side of the road. In the building they lived in, 56 people lived in the one building, all of whom did all their chores. After the families came to Canada, they then started living in the house that was bought by the lumber company. Nand Singh returned to India in 1924 for his wedding to Dan Kaur then returned to Canada in same year. This is a full length interview which was recorded on January 4th, 1994. Nand Singh Banga is speaking in Punjabi and his son is acting as an interpreter between the interviewer and Nand Singh.