Kostenuk, William Michael
Personal Information
Rank | F/S |
Forename(s) | William Michael |
Surname | Kostenuk |
Gender | M |
Age | 19 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 29-11-1942 |
Next of Kin | Son of William Kostenuk and Annie Kostenuk (née Trefik), of Bashaw, Alberta, Canada. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Handley Page Halifax II |
Serial Number | DT576 |
Markings | LQ- |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Dishforth Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Grave 42. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 195 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | R/121565 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 4 |
Squadron | 405 (Vancouver) |
Trade | Air Gunner |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | Adjacent to Village Windmill, Mill Rd, Great Gransden, Cambridgeshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Memorial Stone with inscribed Metal Plaque |
Memorial Text | Remembering 405 (Vancouver) Sqn. PFF at Gransden Lodge 1942 - 1945 |
Location | St. Bartholomew's Church, Great Gransden, Cambridgeshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stained Glass Window, RoH and inscribed metal plaque |
Memorial Text | Commemorating the 801 airmen of 405 Sqn. RCAF who gave their lives 1941 - 1945 |
Location | Pocklington Gliding Club, Pocklington Airfield, East Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Marble Pillar and inscribed metal plaque |
Memorial Text | In memory of 102 (Ceylon) and 405 (Vancouver) Sqns. Pocklington Airfield |
Miscellaneous Information
William was born at Biggar, Saskatchewan on 3 June 1923. His father was born in Romania and was a section Foreman for Canadian National Railways and his mother was born in Poland. He attended Egerton School, Alberta followed by Bashaw School, Alberta between 1938-1941. They lived in Bashaw. He joined in most sports including hockey, softball, swimming, skiing and basketball. |
William then enlisted on 31 July 1941 and after training was posted to the U.K. He embarked from Canada on 20 July 1942 arriving at 3 PRC on 30 July before continuing to 7 AGS 1 September 1942 and 405 Squadron 14 October 1942. Sadly William was then to lose his life on 29 November 1942. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1787/36 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1787/35 |
Fellow Servicemen Scroll to see more
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 29-11-1942 |
End Date | 29-11-1942 |
Takeoff Station | Topcliffe |
Day/Night Raid | Day |
Operation | Ferry duties as part of the Squadron's detachment to Beaulieu |
Reason for Loss | Crashed near Melmerby, SW of the airfield One of the worst non-operational accidents of the war |