SURREY — Indo-Canadian war veteran, Pritam Singh Jauhal, once banned from Newton Legion for wearing a turban has died at the age of 95.
Jauhal, a Sikh, wore a turban into battle during several wars, including the Second World War as part of 8th British Army actions in North Africa.
In 1993, following a Remembrance Day ceremony, Jauhal and other turban-wearing Sikh veterans were barred from entering Newton Legion due to rules regarding the wearing of “headgear” inside the hall.
The organization eventually changed its policy, following pressure from human rights-minded Canadians.
Jauhal published a memoir called “A Soldier Remembers” in 2013, in collaboration with the Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies at the University of the Fraser Valley.
“I am Commanding Officer of a Canadian Regiment today because of the legacy and sacrifice of (Jauhal) and other Sikh veterans before him,” wrote Harjit Singh Sajjan, now Canada’s Minister of National Defence, in the foreword for the book.
“We both know that there is no greater honour than to serve the nation you call home.”
Jauhal lived in Surrey for many years, and frequently attended Remembrance Day ceremonies at the cenotaph in Cloverdale.
A funeral service for Jauhal will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 3 at Valley View Funeral Home & Cemetery (14644 72nd Ave., Surrey), followed at 3:30 p.m. by a prayer service at Canadian Singh Sabha Gurdwara (8115 132nd St., Surrey).
Sikh pioneer and veteran Lt.-Col. Jauhal dies at age 95 in Surrey
