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A poppy engraved road sign of Kartner Road.
Photo screen grab from Google Maps
In honour of our soldiers: Walter Kartner
By Dina Boucher
Published 10:58 PDT, Fri April 26, 2024
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In a series of Richmond’s poppy street signs in memory of our fallen soldiers, we share the story of Kartner Road.
Walter Kartner’s parents, Frank and Mary, met and were married in the part of Austria which became Yugoslavia after World War I. The first four of their children were born there before Mr. Kartner emigrated to Canada in 1928 and the family followed in 1930.
Walter attended elementary school in Richmond and was a graduate of Richmond High School in 1943, followed by a chosen career as a trained industrial x-ray technician.
On enlistment in February 1945 Walter joined the Royal Canadian Navy and volunteered for seven years. He had several postings, including HMCS Cornwallis and HMCS Stadacona and was eventually based in England.
His family were expecting him home for Christmas 1945, relieved that the war was over and he was safe. The telegram was read to Mr. Kartner, over the neighbour’s telephone, stating that Walter had died.
Apparently, he had been playing hockey and came off the ice to have something to eat. Afterward he collapsed and died. The official explanation was that part of the food found its way into Walter’s lungs causing breathing difficulties.
Karl Kartner, Walter’s older brother, served in the Canadian army and the family had just built a new house on their property on Railway Avenue. Mr. and Mrs. Kartner, Karl, Rudi, Mary and Martha were left to mourn the untimely death of Walter.
Today Kartner Road can be found off Westminster Hwy. near No. 6 Road.
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