Spr Joar Sigvold Opdahl

Joar Opdahl was born on June 4, 1901 in Overhalla, Norway. In 1927, he immigrated to Canada seeking employment. He worked as a farm labourer near Hawarden, Saskatchewan and there he met his future wife, Pearl Pederson. They were married in 1928 and blessed with 9 children, 6 born before the Second World War and 3 born after his return from overseas.

Spr. Joar Opdahl enlisted in the armed forces in the spring of 1940. After basic training at Dundurn Military Camp, he traveled by train across Canada and was deployed overseas from Halifax. He served overseas for five years with the Royal Canadian Engineers as a bulldozer operator on the front lines building roads, airport runways, and bridges.

He received 5 medals. At the conclusion of the war, he received a certificate of merit from Field Marshall B.L. Montgomery citing recognition for "outstanding good service, and shown great devotion to duty, during the campaign in north west Europe". Maj. J.S. Parker, the commanding officer of the RCE, recommended Joar for this recognition. He was one of two, from the 21st Army Group, to receive this citation.

After his safe return to Canada in July 1945, he resumed farming land near Hanley, SK, including a parcel of land that he received for his overseas service from The Veteran's Land Act. He was an active member of Royal Canadian Legion Hanley Branch No. 258. He resided in Hanley until his death on August 24, 1972, after a battle with cancer.