Deo, Sohan Singh

Creator: Bolan, Kim

Newspaper clipping titled, Descendants of passengers on ill-fated ship call on Ottawa, Komagata Maru kin wants amends, written by Kim Bolan published in Vancouver Sun. The article describes how sembers of the Sikh community are calling for compensation for decendants of Komagata Maru passengers denied entry to Vancouver in 1914 .

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.

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.

Photograph collage of the Deo family. Clockwise from the left: Portrait taken in the United States in 1927 of Asa Singh Deo, the first from the Deo family to arrive in Canada. He was born on January 18, 1890, in the village of Kharoudi, in Hoshiarpur district. Initially he lived in Canada, but he moved to America to settle in Imperial Valley, California. Next is a family photo of Pritam Singh Deo, son of Asa Singh Deo. Pritam is standing with his wife, Udham Kaur Deo, and their eight year old son, Sohan Singh Deo. Next is Pritam Singh wearing his army attire. Last, a portrait of Sohan Singh Deo which was taken April 3, 1965 at the Yucho Chow Studio in Vancouver, BC.