217 The Royal Canadian Legion MANITOBA & NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO COMMAND www.mbnwo.ca MURRAY, Victor A. WWII Victor was born on October 30, 1918, to Melvin and Helen Murray. In 1940, he married Alice Harper of Neepawa. Sergeant Victor Murray served with the Royal Canadian Air Force for two years then returned to Neepawa to work at Murray’s Garage. Vic was a lover of music. He was band leader of the Lions Band (Neepawa), choir director for many years and played trumpet in several orchestras. The last one was the Variatone Orchestra and was involved in a number of local groups. He was a member of The Royal Canadian Legion Neepawa Branch 23. Victor passed away on October 14, 1980, in Neepawa. MUTCH, Andrew G. WWII Andrew was born in Brookdale, Manitoba on March 16, 1920. Andrew attended Tobarmore, Eden, and Union Schools. He was employed on farms until he joined the Royal Winnipeg Rifles in Winnipeg in December 1941. Rifleman Andrew Mutch landed on Juno Beach, D-Day on June 6, 1944 with “A” Company Royal Winnipeg Rifles (3rd Division). He was washed overboard from his landing craft and the heavy load of equipment he was carrying sunk him quickly, making rescue impossible. He is commemorated on the Beny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery in Calvados, France. Mutch Lake (64 I/5) northwest of North Knife Lake was named after him in 1974. He was the son of James G. and Mary A. Mutch of Reeve and the brother of Rifleman Robert Mutch. MUTCH, Robert WWII Robert was born in Birnie, Manitoba on August 6, 1922 and attended Union and Turtle Plains schools. He was employed on farms until he joined the Royal Winnipeg Rifles in Winnipeg in January 1943. Robert landed on Juno Beach, June 6, 1944 with “A” Company, Royal Winnipeg Rifles (3rd Division). He was taken prisoner on June 8, 1944 at Putot-enBessin, France. He and several other prisoners were marched to Chateau d’Audrieu, headquarters for the 12th SS Reconnaissance Battalion. It was under the command of SS Captain Gerd von Reitzenstein. SS Major Gerhard Bremer was also present. Major Fred Hodge, commander of “A” Company, RWRs, 21 soldiers from his regiment, two members of the Queen’s Own Rifles, and two soldiers from British Regiment were questioned by the SS Officers, marched out in small groups, and subsequently shot. Robert was one of them. Mutch Creek (62 P/1), which flows west into Lake Winnipeg was named after him in 1982.
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