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They made the Ultimate Sacrifice
KOSTER, John Bernard, ERA 4c, V27989, RCNVR, MPK - 21 Aug 1944, HMCS ALBERNI - Son of Michael and Mary Koster, of Toronto, Ontario.
ERA Koster died when his ship, HMCS ALBERNI, was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel on 21 Aug 1944 by U-480, southeast of the Isle of Wight. Fifty-nine of her ship's company lost their lives.
Engine Room Artificer John Bernard Koster, wrote to his parents, "on our last leave we spent a couple of days up at the front lines in France. Were the Canadians ever surprised to see the navy men so close to the front lines. What a magnificent fighting machine they are". Engine Room Artificer Koster, age 24 is missing. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael and Mary Koster, Roselawn Avenue, Toronto. He attended Northern Vocational School. He enlisted in the R.C.N.V.R., February, 1941. His only sister, Agnes is married to an airman. Michael Koster, the youth's father, was for many years with the Toronto police force. He is now a guard at the Massey-Harris plant in Weston, Ontario.
Ships served in: HMCS YORK - Enlisted 09 FEB 1942. Commenced Active Service 10 Feb 1942 as an Engine Room Artificer 5th Class, RCNVR HMCS NADEN - Drafted to NADEN 12 Feb 1942 HMCS STADACONA - Drafted to STADACONA 1 Apr 1942 HMCS ALBERNI - Drafted to ALBERNI 08 Aug 1942 * Rated Acting Engine Room Artificer 4th Class 07 Dec 1942 * Rated Engine Room Artificer 4th Class 31 Jan 1944
(JK01) ERA John Koster (JK02) Documents from the Service File of John Koster
The Toronto Telegram September 1944
Second World War Casualty Index
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