This Winnipeg park, home of the South Transcona Community Centre, was named for Second World War airman Victor Lewis Valde. Born at Bengough, Saskatchewan on 20 September 1924, son of Lewis Valde (?-1961) and Emma Josephine Valde (c1905-1990), he moved to Transcona with his parents. He worked for the Western Steel Company prior to enlisting with Royal Canadian Air Force in May 1942. He deployed overseas in February 1943, eventually attaining the rank of Pilot Officer and working as an Air Gunner. Though initially listed as missing in action during air operations, he was later confirmed to have died in active service with the 415th Squadron on 2 November 1944. He was buried at the Rheinberg War Cemetery at Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany.
Victor Valde Memorial Park (September 2014)
Source: Nathan KramerSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.88534, W97.00123
denoted by symbol on the map above
“List is issues by Air Force,” Winnipeg Free Press, 12 December 1944, page 7.
“PO Victor Lewis Valde now presumed dead,” Winnipeg Free Press, 24 September 1945, page 7.
[Photo caption], Winnipeg Free Press, 6 October 1945, page 2.
Death notice, Winnipeg Free Press, 2 November 1945, page 17.
Second World War Service Files, Library and Archives of Canada.
“Transcona news,” Winnipeg Tribune, 24 May 1947, page 4.
Obituary [Lewis Valde], Winnipeg Free Press, 30 August 1961, page 32.
Obituary [Emma Valde], Winnipeg Free Press, 3 May 1990, page 45.
Rheinberg War Cemetery, Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
This page was prepared by Nathan Kramer.
Page revised: 25 April 2021
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