Corporal Daniel B. Walkof
1914-1915 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment) 27th Battalion
Canadian Expeditionary Force
WW I
Daniel B. Walkof was born to Simon and Mary Ann (Edinger) Walkof at Gretna, Manitoba on 04 May 1893. He had six siblings, John Robert (JR Walkof School in Winkler is named after him) Edwin, Lillian, George, Alfred and Joseph. He was a carpenter prior to enlisting. His parents lived at 1117 Garfield Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Daniel listed his brother Alfred as his next of kin who lived at 355 Harcourt Street, Sturgeon Creek, Manitoba.
Daniel enlisted 26 October 1914 and became a member of the Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment) 27th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force. Upon completion of training, Private Daniel Walkof departed Quebec City for England 17 May 1915 on the S.S. Carpathia. He was in England for approximately 5 months, then embarked for France 17 November 1915. He was hospitalized for severe arm infection 27 May 1916 and returned to his unit 7 June 1916.
The Battle of the Somme lasted from 01 July to 18 November 1916 and claimed 24,009 Canadian casualties. Corporal Daniel Walkof was severally wounded during an engagement with the enemy on or before 29 September 1916.
Records indicate he had been promoted to the rank of Corporal effective 20 November 1916 but had died of wounds received before his records were updated. He was posthumously awarded the 1914-1915 Star, The British War Medal and The Victory Medal. These medals, along with the Memorial Cross were presented to his mother.
Corporal Daniel B. Walkof died of wounds received 29 September 1916. He is buried at the PUCHEVILLERS BRITISH CEMETERY, Somme, France. Grave Reference V.B.11. He is also commemorated on Page 178 of the First World War Book of Remembrance in Ottawa, Ontario.
Information supplied by family and Library and Archives Canada
Chief Warrant Officer Kenneth Wayne Wiebe
Member of the Order of Military Merit, Special Service Medal & NATO Clasp, Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal (CPSM), Multinational Force and Observers (Sanai) Medal, 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal, Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, Canadian Forces Decoration
ROYAL CANADIAN NAVY, CANADIAN ARMED FORCES
Ken began his life’s journey 23 July 1948 at Carman, MB. He is the son of Leslie and Helena (Friesen) Wiebe, the eldest of 6 siblings, Carrol 1950-1998, Dennis 1951, Laverne 1953, Garry 1954, Kelvin 1955-2008. After schooling in Morden Ken went to Winnipeg and worked for a short time before enlisting in the RCN on 16 January 1967. He did basic training at HMCS Cornwallis, NS and then trades training at Borden, ON. He was posted too many bases and worked on numerous aircraft and held a variety of positions over the next 29 years. Shearwater, NS, VU-32 and VS-880 Sqns (CP 121 Tracker A/C), Bagotville, QC, (CF 101 Voodoo), Baden, Germany, (CF 104 Starfighter), Cold Lake AB, 418 Sqn (CF-5 Fighter), Goose Bay, NL, NCO i/c Transient Servicing, Edmonton, AB, 408 Sqn (Kiowa and Twin Huey Helicopters), Montreal, QC, 10 Tactical Air Group HQ as Group Chief Warrant Officer, Edmonton, AB as Wing Chief Warrant Officer and Winnipeg, MB, Investigator Directorate of Flight Safety. Ken and Linda (Dyck) were married 30 August 1974 and a short week later Linda stood on the flight line in Bagotville and watched Ken board an aircraft for the first of many deployments. Their son Trevor was born while stationed in Bagotville and on 23 August 1976 they landed in Germany with an 18 month old son and a 20 day old daughter, Makenzie. When Ken left to report for duty the next morning, foreign country and language, strange city and two little ones was not an impossible challenge to Linda who was somewhat used to being on her own. Over the years Ken had short term deployments to Sardinia, England, Somalia, Haiti and 6 months in Egypt as well as numerous courses and conferences, during which Linda looked after the home front
“My Lindy was a trooper during all the moves and managed to find work in most places we lived. She took some courses and also enlisted in the Air Reserves and served for a few years, she did well. The kids too, in spite of the moves and having to attend numerous schools in different provinces, managed to graduate on time, couldn’t be prouder”, says Ken.
Ken retired from the Forces in May 1996 and went into business with his brother for 7 years and then, in 2003 he and Linda decided to move to Morden. He went into business for himself, Painting and Decorating as well as managing Mudezz Car Wash. In 2010 he decided to run for the Mayor’s office. He won the election and was acclaimed for a second term in 2014. While in office as Mayor, he was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal by the Association of Manitoba Municipalities.
Ken always thought it important that one contribute to one’s community and over the years has been a baseball coach, writer for two military newspapers and editor of one, served on community council, executive positions on a square dance club, curling clubs, church committees, parent volunteer for Cubs and Scouts, Sunday school teacher, volunteer for the Corn and Apple Festival since 2003 and Chair of the Festival in 2008. Ken and Linda have been Legion Members for over 25 years. Ken has worked on the Memorial Banner Project since 2019 and is also a volunteer at the Thrift Store. They have 2 children and 2 grandchildren.
Banner Project since 2019 and is also a volunteer at the Thrift Store. They have 2 children and 2 grandchildren.
Corporal Linda Ann (Dyck) Wiebe
Canadian Armed Forces
Primary Air Reserve
Linda, born 29 January 1954, is the daughter of John and Agatha (Peters) Dyck. She was raised in their home on First Street in Morden along with two younger siblings, Ron and Sharon. She went to school in Morden and worked at the Esso Restaurant while going to High School. After High School Linda went to Regina and worked there for a time before coming back to Morden in 1973. Ken, already in the Forces, happened to be home on leave that summer and they connected. On 29 August of 1974 Ken and Linda were married. They went to Bagotville, Quebec a few days after the wedding, Ken’s home base. When married only a week, Ken left on deployment to New Brunswick. This was the beginning of Ken’s departures for the next 22 years, lasting from days to months at a time. They lived in many places throughout Canada. Their son was born in Bagotville and three weeks prior to being transferred to Europe, Linda had a baby girl. New posting, foreign country, a son who is 17 months, a baby of 20 days old and a husband who left first thing in the morning to report for duty. Pretty routine for a military wife.
While Ken was stationed in Cold Lake, Alberta the Forces were looking for Reservists to fill short staffed positions. Linda took the opportunity and in the fall of 1981 enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces. She did her basic training followed immediately by some Dental Technician training. As there was suddenly a greater need for Administrative Clerks she was transferred, took the Administrative course and completed it in December, 1982. Linda filled the Administrative position until June 1984 when Ken was transferred to Goose Bay, Labrador. Linda was promoted to Corporal just prior to her departure from Cold Lake. Shortly after arriving in Goose Bay she was taken on strength in the Base Administrative Section and served until June 1985. Linda also worked at a variety of civilian jobs as she followed Ken around the country.
On their second time in Edmonton (1991) Linda went to work for Kitchen Kraft and when Ken was transferred to Winnipeg the company offered Linda a position as the Shipping Clerk at their main plant in Winnipeg. She worked there until 2003 when they moved to Morden. During that summer Linda decided to go back to school and took the Red River College Health Care Aide course, graduating with Honours in March 2004. She worked in this field for a number of years as well as with her husband until retirement in 2010.
Linda has been a member of the Morden Legion for more than 25 years and also served on the Executive. Linda and Ken have been married since 1974 and have two children, Trevor and Makenzie as well as two grandchildren.
Private Leslie Wiebe
War Medal 1939-45
Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry
WW II
18 April 1926 – 05 April 2013
Leslie Wiebe was the first born of 8 children to Jake and Mary (Funk) Wiebe. He was raised in the Melba School District, south of Horndean, and lived in that area until joining the Army at Plum Coulee, 11 August 1944. Leslie did his infantry training at Shilo as a member of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry and on completion was sent on embarkation leave. His unit was ready to depart for Halifax and a troop ship to Europe when hostilities wound down and the war ended. He was demobilized 27 April 1946.
Leslie was introduced to Helena Friesen by Frank Doel, a cousin to Helena and an army buddy to Leslie. Shortly thereafter they were married and after living in Roland and Osterwick decided to move to Morden, as Leslie was driving truck for the Morden Creamery at that time and later also drove for Morden Transfer. Leslie was a member of Branch 11 Legion during his time in Morden. He worked for Furnace Man in Winnipeg for a time and later went to Red River College and got his High Pressure Gas Welding Certificate. He left his family and Morden approximately 1960 and went pipe lining.
Leslie and Helena had 6 children Kenneth 1948, Carrol 1950-1998, Dennis 1951, Laverne 1953, Garry 1954 and Kelvin 1955-2009.
Leslie moved back to Morden in February 2012 and transferred his Legion Membership back to Branch 11. He was having some health issues prior to his move to Morden and his health continued to decline after his move. He was admitted to BTHC in January 3013 and remained there until his passing.
Leslie Wiebe passed away 05 April 2013 and is buried in the Altona Cemetery, Altona Manitoba.