Considering me as a distinguished War Veteran, I who was once denied entry into the Newton Legion for refusing to remove my turban, was honored at a Remembrance Day ceremony in Crescent Beach Legion, Canada in 2001. I was invited to speak and lay a wreath at the cenotaph at 240 Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion.“We felt that we would like to do something in our Legion to show Col Jauhal that we honour the man” said Legion member Reg Selwage, who along with several others left the Newton Legion in disgust over the incident in 1993. “We just felt we would like to have Col Jauhal there and show him the respect he deserves”. During the ceremony, I addressed the gathering about my experiences fighting for the Commonwealth in the Second World War. I also read A Soldier’s Prayer.
Later, I said I was reluctant to accept the invitation, given my shabby treatment back in 1993. This time, my presence and comments sparked a thunderous standing ovation by those in attendance. I enjoyed the ceremony enormously. It was memorable. I conveyed this in writing to the madam Donn, President of 240 Legion. The ceremony was one of many in the community as the cities of Surrey and White Rock joined Canadians across the Country in paying respects to Canada’s War Veterans and those who gave their lives for freedom.
In 1993, I was invited to a Remembrance Day ceremony at the Newton Legion. After laying wreaths, the Veterans marched behind a pipe band to the Legion’s Lounge and as I and four other turban-wearing Veterans reached the door, we were told to remove our turbans if we wanted to enter the Lounge. I took a firm stand against the injustice and discrimination As a result, today no Legion in Canada refuses entry to a Sikh wearing a turban. Originally, a soldier with the Indian Army, I fought in Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan, Egypt and Libya as apart of 8th British Army. During the Second World War, I fought for the independence of India and was a peacekeeper in Vietnam, and earned 13 stars and medals.
In the photo, I am seen overcome with emotion during the Remembrance Day service at the Crescent Beach Legion. Corporal Vincent Haithwaite of the 2812 Seaforth Highlanders acted as a sentry for the ceremony.
Lt Col Pritam Singh Jauhal (Retd) World War II Veteran
Founding President Indian Ex-Servicemen Society British Columbia
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