Bolster, William John (Johnny)

On June 6, 1944, on the beaches of Normandy, many gallant Canadians died. But Rfmn. William John (Johnny) Bolster didn't reach the beaches and he had no chance to defend himself from enemy fire. The landing barge, which carried him as one of the Queen's Own Rifles of Canada was blown up, and he escaped to the water only to be shot through the heart. Rfmn. Bolster was with "B" Company of the Queen's Own, and at the end of that brutal day there was a mere handful of the men left. Mrs. Bolster learned none of these details until the Regiment came home in October, 1945, and in conversation with Col. Dalton she discovered not only that her husband died bravely, but that he had gone into danger on his own insistence. He had been working at Army Headquarters in England but when he knew his unit was to move, he begged permission to go with his friends. Born at Cobourg, Ont., the son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bolster, he lived in Brantford for about two years, but during that time he became a part of the community, attending St. Luke's Anglican Church, becoming a member of the Y.M.C.A., and taking an active part in sports. Rfmn. Bolster lies buried at Bernieres-sur-le-Mer, France.

Back to Search Results