193 The Royal Canadian Legion MANITOBA & NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO COMMAND www.mbnwo.ca PELLAND, Leo WWII Leo was born in La Broquerie, Manitoba in 1919 and enlisted in the Royal Canadian Infantry Corps in 1942. He took his training in Simcoe, Ontario and in Lethbridge, Alberta guarding German Prisoners of War at both locales. He was shipped overseas to South Hampton, England to train for Pearl Harbour. His troop was preparing to head out when the Japanese surrendered. On his way back home aboard the John Liberty, they were lost at sea for three days and finally found their way back home. Leo married Bernadette Tourond in 1948 and together they had six sons and five daughters. Leo worked at the CNR, Pioneer Electric, Weststeel and did some lumber work as well over the years. He has belonged to the Norwood Legion Branch 43 for 45 years. PENNER, Walter F. WWII Walter was born in Winkler, Manitoba on November 24, 1915. He joined the Canadian Forces in Winnipeg on January 7, 1941. He served with the Fort Garry Horse in Canada, England, France, Holland and Germany during World War II. He was wounded at Juno Beach on D-Day. Walter was awarded the basic five medals for his service. He achieved the rank of M/Cpl. He was nicknamed ‘Joe Penner’ after a movie star of the era. He always had a story about a flock of sheep and his distaste for mutton. He married Mary Upton on June 6, 1946 and lived in Purvis, Lac du Bonnet, Winnipeg, Flin Flon and finally retired in Winkler. He was an active member of The Royal Canadian Legion including Morden Branch 11 and Flin Flon Branch 73. He enjoyed fishing and a good hockey game with a few fights. Walter passed away on July 8, 1989. PETERSON, Victor J. “Vic” WWII Vic was born in Teulon, Manitoba on June 22, 1925 where his parents owned a farm. He joined the Royal Canadian Navy Reserve (RCNR) at HMCS Chippawa, Winnipeg in 1944 at the age of nineteen. He served in Halifax, NS during World War II. He was sent to Toronto, ON to complete his training in communications where he learned Morse Code and the Navy coding systems. On completion of his communications training, he was posted to HMCS Halifax later in 1944. Vic remained stationed in Halifax where he conducted coded communications between all Canadian ships and Halifax Headquarters until 1946. He recalls using highly classified codebooks and communications equipment that required protection by armed guards at all times. Vic returned to HMCS Chippawa and was released from the RCNR in 1946. Vic then completed Auto Mechanic training in Winnipeg and initially worked at a local garage until 1951 when he joined the CNR. He worked as a brakeman and conductor on freight trains with the CNR for 32 years until he retired in 1983. Vic met his wife, Gay Sigurdson, in Lundar, MB and married in 1952. They had three sons: Victor, Larry and Ronald; and one daughter, Joanne. He has been an active member of Henderson Highway Legion Branch 215 for fifty years.
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