5.2.9 Victor Hugo Wattke.
Born: 30 September 1908 at Tanunda, S.A.
Died: 16 April 1967 at Loxton, S.A.
Buried: Daw Park, S.A.
Married: Marjorie Margaret Allison, 16 June 1934 at Angaston, S.A.
More information on page 520,”Changing Pastures.”
Victor and Marjorie lived and worked on an orange orchard at Winkle on the River Murray following their marriage. With the onset of World War II, Victor, Marjorie and their daughter Leone, moved to Melbourne where Victor joined the RAAF. He was stationed at Laverton and Victoria Barracks as a wireless operator before being posted overseas where he fought in Borneo, Lac and Boganville. Victor reached the rank of flight sergeant and acting warrant officer.
After the war Victor took up a soldier settlement property at Loxton which was established in 1948. The property was barren farmland which they planted with orange, peach, apricot, walnut and almond trees. These were planted and watered by hand until irrigation and pumping plants from the river were functioning.
The land after many years of hard work was transformed into a flourishing fruit area. Victor exported citrus and stone fruit during these years. At the age of fifty-nine years Victor died in the Loxton Hospital.