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4016: Sergeant Thomas Edward COLES.
PARENTS: Mr. & Mrs. Coles of Wellington

Thomas Coles was born on the 9th July, 1914, at
Wellington and received his education at Marist Bros. School,
Wellington. His main interests in sport were football, hockey,
and tennis. His occupation was that of a warehouseman employed
by Joseph Lucas of Auckland. On the 20th September, 1938, he
applied for enrolment in the technical section of the Civil Reserve,
and was accepted.
Sergeant Coles was enlisted at the Technical Training
Wing, Wigram, on the 12th January, 1940, as an Equipment Assistant
and two months later was posted to New Plymouth. In May, 1941, he
remustered to air gunner and proceeded to Levin for his initial
training. On the completion of his training he embarked for
Canada on the 18th June, 1941.
On arrival in Canada, Sgt. Coles was posted on the 5th
July, 1941, to No. 3 Wireless School, Winnipeg, Manitoba. In
February of the following year he proceeded to No. 4 Bombing and
Gunnery School, Fingal, Ontario, where - on the 16th March, 1942
- he was awarded his air gunners badge and promoted to Sergeant.
On the 18th March he was posted to No. 1. "Y" Depot, Halifax,
Nova Scotia, for embarkation to the United Kingdom.
On arrival at No. 3 Personnel Reception Center,
Bournemouth, Sgt. Coles was posted on the 28th April, 1942, to
No. 11 Operation Training Unit, Bassingbourne, Hertfordshire, where
he crewed up and completed his training as air gunner on Wellington
aircraft. On the 3rd July 1942, he was admitted to the Sick
Quarters, Bassingbourne, suffering from slight injuries received in
an aircraft accident. Late in August, 1942, he was posted to