Victor Allison Unruh
1939-1945 Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (CVSM) and Clasp, 1939-1945 War Medal
Royal Canadian Air Force – 427 Lion Squadron
Mondeville, France
WW II
Victor Allison Unruh was born in Ukraine, 27 September 1914, to Dr. Abraham Henry (born in Crimea) and Katherine (Toews, born in Russia) Unruh. Dr. Unruh was a Minister by occupation. They immigrated to Canada in 1925 and were living in Winkler, Manitoba but moved to Winnipeg sometime after Victor’s enlistment. At the time of his death, Victor’s file indicates he had 3 brothers, Abram, John, Henry and 2 sisters, Kathrina and Lydia. His brothers John and Henry served as well.
Victor graduated from the Winkler Collegiate in 1936 with a grade 12 education and attended Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kansas 1936-37. He did odd jobs for a year and then attended Normal School (Teachers College) 1939-40. He was interested in several sports but had an extensive interest in baseball and track. Victor’s Attestation Paper indicates that he was temporarily living at Kenville while teaching in the Ruby School District in the Municipality of Swan Valley West, Manitoba. He listed his permanent address as Winkler. Victor enlisted with the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), 9 July 1942 at “M” Depot in Brandon, Manitoba.
Aircraftsman Class 2 (AC2) Unruh’s training took place at various stations in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. Upon completion of training as a Navigator, 9 July 1943, he was posted to England, arriving on 22 July. He was promoted to Sergeant on 25 July, only three days later. Upon arrival in England Sergeant Unruh was posted to an Operational Training Unit (OTU) for the Handley Page Halifax until 12 November 1943. He then joined the 427 Squadron at Leeming, Yorkshire. The Halifax was a 4 engine bomber with a crew of 7. The squadron was part of 6 Group RCAF of the Royal Air force (RAF) Bomber command. Operational objectives for the squadron during 1944 were the bombing of enemy territory.
The 427 Squadron Wartime Log, contains the following information for 18 July 1944; “At 0130 hours the crews were hauled from their beds. At approximately 0315 hours seventeen aircraft became airborne and attacked Mondeville (France). Weather over the target was good but a slight haze impeded downward visibility. Bombing was very concentrated and only one stick (a bomb grouping released together) was reported outside the target area, half a mile south. Ground defences were slight over target but moderate H.F. (High Flak) bursts observed at 6,000/10,000 ft. at turning point after target. One aircraft was hit by flak over the target and failed to return from this operation.” The aircraft, a Halifax Bomber LV 985, crashed and all 7 members of the crew were killed.
Records indicate that Sgt Unruh had been promoted to Pilot Officer (PO) effective 1 July 1944.
Pilot Officer Victor Allison Unruh and his crew are buried at Bretteville-sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery in Calvados, France.
Pilot Officer Victor Allison Unruh is commemorated on;
On Page 467 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance, located in the Memorial Chamber of The Peace Tower of the Canadian Parliament Buildings in Ottawa, Ontario.
On the Winkler War Memorial in Winkler, Manitoba.
On the Morden-Stanley War Memorial in Morden, Manitoba.
At Unruh Lake (64W/10) east of Buckland Lake. Unruh Lake was named after him in 1995.
Information from Library and Archives Canada, Commonwealth War Graves Commission, the 427 (Lion) Squadron Wartime Log and the Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies.