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NZ40643 Pilot Officer Alan Edward COATES
WIDOW: Mrs. E.M. Coates of St. Heliers, AUCKLAND.
MOTHER: Mrs. E.A.M. Coates of St. Heliers, AUCKLAND.

Alan Coates was born at Auckland on the 15th December, 1911 and received his secondary education at the Auckland Grammar School reaching matriculation standard. From the time of leaving school in 1930 until applying for a Short Service Commission on the 22nd of March, 1939, he was employed in farming by Mr. R. Shakespear at Whangaparara. Although accepted for a Commission, this was altered to enlistment for war service on the outbreak of hostilities.
Pilot Officer Coates was enlisted in the Initial Training Wing, Levin, on the 13th February, 1940 and proceeded to No. 2 Elementary Flying Training School, New Plymouth on the 8th April, to commence his flying training, then on the 3rd June to No. 2 Elementary Flying Training School, Blenheim. Here on the 21st September, he was awarded the flying badge and promoted to the rank of Sergeant. While overseas on the 1st September, 1941 he was further promoted to Flight Sergeant, to Warrant Officer on the 1st April 1942, and commissioned in the rank of Pilot Officer on the 1st May 1942. Meantime on the 6th October 1940 he had embarked by the "Mataroa" at Wellington for the United Kingdom.
Pilot Officer Coates arrived at No. 1 Depot, Uxbridge, Middlesex on the 30th November and proceeded to No. 2 School of General Reconnaissance, Cranage Cheshire on the 14th December, and then on the 8th March, 1941, to No. 3 Operational Training Unit, Cranwell, Lincolnshire. On the 10th May he was posted to No. 502 Squadron St. Eval, Cornwall, and with this squadron took part in a number of anti-submarine patrols as pilot of Whitely aircraft.
Pilot Officer Coates was the pilot of a Whitely aircraft engaged on the 15th September, 1942 in an anti-submarine patrol, and which failed to return to its base. All the crew, including Pilot Officer Coates were classified as missing. In due course his death was presumed to have occurred on the 16th September 1942.
Subsequently information was recieved through the International Red Cross that a number of the crew had been picked up by a French Fishing boat and taken prisoner by the Germans a fortnight later. He revealed that the aircraft had been forced to land on the sea 150 miles west of Brest and Pilot Officer Coates died from wounds in the dinghy on the 16th September, 1942.

5/2/740 AS2
No Log Book Found
Mrs. E. M Coates (widow)
43 Polygon Road,
St. Heliers E. 1. AUCKLAND