145040, Pilot Officer (Observer), George Leslie COSTER
Aged 38
"Viribus Contractis" - With gathered strength
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George Leslie Coster was born in 1906 (West Ham Q1-1906 4A:436), son of George and Annie Abigail COSTER (née COKE). 1911 census...Aged 5 he was at 65 Poppleston Road, Leytonstone with his father George COSTER [47] Agent for a tailor, born Stepney; his mother Annie Abigail [44], born Stepney; sisters Winifred Gertrude [20] born Bow, Gladys Ethel [17] born Limehouse and Vera Irene [11]born Leytonstone. His will has him living at 21 Greenheys Drive, South Woodford, Essex and his widow Vera Daisy. His widow appears to have been Vera Daisy ALLEN, who he married in 1936 in Essex South Western. She has not been identified in the 1939 register George was at the East Anglian School from 1920 to 1923 where he was in the 1st XI hockey and a back in a football XI of outstanding ability |
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Gazetted 16th November 1943:- 845578 Cpl George Leslie COSTER ( he served in a barrage Balloon Squadron) w.e.f. 19th June commissioned
Pilot Officer (145040). His grave marker has Pilot Officer (Observer), his CWGC entry has Flying Officer.
F/Sgt John Gilbert JONES (pilot) was killed with him (John is buried in the Catholic section)
It appears that they were killed when, in Bristol Beaufighter Mk IV, ser.no. KH157 of 108 Squadron, they swung on take-off at RAF Luqa, Malta. It crashed into Wellington JA378 and a fuel bowser. It was his first operational sortie. The squadron was based at Idku, Libya as a night fighter squadron |
photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission
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