We regret to advise of the death of Sergeant Walter Robert Edmonds, CD (Ret’d) of Edmonton AB, peacefully on 5 October 2022 at the age of 96 years. Walter enlisted in the Royal Canadian Engineers in 1944 during the Second World War in 1944 and served a 30-year career in the Army.
Born in Pine Grove NS, Walter was working in the St. John NB shipyards dredging the harbour when he enlisted in December 1944. After completing his Basic Training in Fredericton and more training in Utopia NB, he returned to St. John on his way for embarkation to England when he saw the people dancing all over the streets. Germany had surrendered and the war in Europe was over. Walter then volunteered for the war in the Pacific and was in Vernon BC preparing for that deployment when the Japanese surrendered.
Walter was demobilized and enlisted in the Permanent Force. He was transferred to Aldershot NS and then joined No.6 Engineer Services and Works Company in Halifax NS where he worked in Stores. After completing a clerks course at Camp Borden ON, he joined the Orderly Room staff. Walter next took vehicle and heavy equipment training at the Royal Canadian School of Military Engineering in Chilliwack BC in 1946 followed by a mechanical course in Winnipeg MB. After completing his Junior NCO course in Victoria BC, he then worked on boat and pontoon repair.
Walter took his Senior NCO course at Camp Chilliwack and then instructed on heavy equipment at RCSME before being posted to the Works Company in Edmonton (Namao) in 1960 as the Transportation NCO. While in Edmnton, he deployed to Canadian Forces Station in Alert NU for six months to take care of the power and heating plant. Returning to Edmonton, Walter was then posted to the Airborne Regiment.
Walter retired from the Canadian Forces in 1974 and joined the Public Service at Canadian Forces Base Edmonton at Namao as the Base Maintenance Shop Foreman in the Vehicle and Fire Trucks Section. He worked for the Public Service for 15 years and took his final retirement in 1990.
The funeral service is at 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM on Saturday, 15 October 2022 at St. Michaels and All Angels Anglican Church [5003 -146 Ave]. Donations in Walter's memory are welcomed at the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Online condolences can be sent here.
