L154271 Lance Sergeant Marc Joseph Paradis was born in Baldwinton, Saskatchewan, on 20 December 1916, the son of Emilien Paradis and Marie Dorilda St. Amand. He came from a large Roman Catholic family of eight brothers (two of whom also served overseas) and five sisters. He spoke both English and French and left school at 15 having completed Grade 8.

Paradis worked as a farm labourer when he enlisted in Vernon, British Columbia, on 11 December 1942 and was posted to the 3rd Battalion Regina Rifles on 17 January 1943. From 12 July 1943 to 18 January 1944 he was on special duty (of 5,300 Canadians) in Kiska, Alaska which had been occupied by the Japanese army.

On 3 April 1944, he attested in the active service army and 10 days later was appointed Lance Corporal. Paradis arrived in the United Kingdom on 21 July 1944, in France on 17 August and posted to The Queen’s Own Rifles on 22 August. He was wounded or injured and sent to a hospital in the UK on 20 September but returned to Europe on 28 October and to the QOR on 5 November. He fought with the QOR through France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. On 2 March 1945, he was promoted to Corporal and appointed Acting Lance Sergeant.

Lance Sergeant Paradis was killed in action in Germany on 3 March 1945, aged 28. He is buried in Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery, grave reference VII. H. 2.