Able Seaman

V/4648

Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve

Age 23

Son of Anton J. and Maria Kowbel of Saskatoon, SK

Awarded MENTION IN DESPATCHES as per London Gazette of 14 June 1945

"This rating displayed courage, resolution and skill in the successful shooting

down of an enemy torpedo bomber in July, 1944.  In this, and previous engagements

against enemy aircraft, all guns were fired with 100% efficiency.  Able Seaman Kowbel,

who was the senior Anti-Aircraft rating borne in HMCS Alberni and was responsible

to the Gunnery Officer for the maintenance and efficient operation of all the ship's

Anti-Aircraft weapons, lost his life at the time of the destruction of this ship."

The sinking of HMCS Alberni (Flower Class Corvette - K103) by U-480

on 21 August 1944 in the English Channel is described in Chapter 50

of "The Canadian Naval Chronicle 1939-1945".

Halifax Memorial panel 5