Edgar “Tommy” Arthur Hallen

Regimental Number H-14472

1st Canadian Parachute Battalion – Royal Canadian Infantry Corps

His weapon in the photo is a 9mm Sten submachine gun.

Edgar was born in Rosetown, Saskatchewan in 1924 to George and Annie Lee Hallen – one of ten children. The family lived and farmed north of Greenan after moving from the Herschel area in 1928.

After working with his father on the farm, Edgar moved to Neepawa, Manitoba in 1937, and joined the Manitoba Dragoons there in 1941. In September 1943 he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Artillery at Winnipeg and trained in Petawawa.

Edgar transferred to the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion in January 1944 and received his wings that April. His parachute battalion was the first Canadian unit on the ground on D-Day and achieved all its objectives. It also took part in the Battle of Normandy, the Battle of the Bulge, and operation Varsity – the crossing of the Rhine. Throughout the war, the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion never failed to complete a mission and never gave up an objective.

Edgar was killed on May 7, 1945, during an operation by his battalion to halt the advance of Russian forces into occupied Germany. It was the day before Armistice was signed with Germany. He was 21 years old and is buried in the Holten Canadian War Cemetery, Overjissel, Netherlands.