Interview with Shigeo "William" Seko

In this interview Shigeo William Seko, born in Point Grey, British Columbia in 1917, describes his life growing up in BC, his time an internment camp, his deportation to Japan, and his return to Canada in 1953. After attending school until 8th grade, Shigeo worked on his family's farm and drove produce for other local farmers. He also worked at a logging camp. When he was in his early twenties, he was sent to Angler, ON, also known as POW Camp 101, while the rest of his family was sent to Lemon Creek. He describes his life and living conditions in Angler. He remained in Angler until the end of the war in 1945 and then was deported to Japan along with his parents. He describes his family in Japan and his community coming together to provide lodging for his family. Together they worked on a farm. In Japan, he met his wife and had two children. To give them a better life, he decided to return to Canada in 1953 and was able to send for his family in 1957. In Canada, Shiego worked various jobs driving, physical labour, and owned his own business in landscaping. Due to injury, he had to stop this job and worked until retirement for a clothing company.