145 The Royal Canadian Legion MANITOBA & NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO COMMAND www.mbnwo.ca MUTCH, Robert D. WWII Robert was born to James and Mary Mutch in Birnie, Manitoba in 1922 and was employed with farmers before joining the Royal Winnipeg Rifles (RWR) in January 1943. He served in Canada and England before landing at Juno Beach on D-Day on June 6, 1944. Taken prisoner on June 8 at Putot-en-Bessin, France, he and several other prisoners were marched to Château d’Audrieu which was headquarters for the 12th SS Reconnaissance Battalion. Major Fred Hodge, Commander of “A” Company, RWR, twenty-one soldiers from his regiment, two members of the Queen’s Own Rifles and two soldiers from British regiments were questioned by SS officers, marched out in small groups, and shot, Robert being one of those victims. The commemorative gravesite is located at Bény-sur-Mer War Cemetery, Plot 16, Row B, Grave 4. In memory, Mutch Creek in Northern Manitoba was named after him on April 14, 1982 and his picture is posted in The Royal Canadian Legion Kelwood Branch #50 as well as in the Neepawa Museum. MUTZ, Nicholas N. M. “Nick” WWII Nick was born in Poland in 1921 and served in the Canadian Army during WWII. On “D-Day”, June 6, 1944, he was pulled from his platoon with other soldiers with German surnames and was only permitted to land on Juno Beach the next day. He was on the front lines for about 6 weeks before being wounded and taken prisoner by the Germans. In hospital with prisoners from other countries, there wasn’t a lot of care given so they looked after each other. An American soldier looked after him and fed him as Nick was unable to do so. Just before liberation, the Germans took the prisoners who could walk, including the American, into Germany and left the others. Not knowing the American’s name, Nick was unable to thank him for saving his life, and always wondered if he ever made it home. Nick was a member of Fort Frances Legion Branch 29 and has since passed away. NAPPER, Alfred Kirk “Alf” WWII Alf was born in Arcola, Saskatchewan in 1909. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in April 1941 and served as a pilot until April 1941, when he became an instructor at No. 5 Air Observer School in Winnipeg. He was also part of the staff orchestra there, playing from 1942-43. Alf married on July 18, 1935 and with his wife, Ruth, raised 8 children. He was a member of Kelwood Legion Branch 50 for sixty years. Alf died in 2000 in Surrey, British Columbia. NANTAIS, Christopher M. PEACETIME Christopher was born in Brandon, Manitoba in 1983. He joined the Army and served in Canada with 1 Field Ambulance.
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