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427090 Flight Sergeant Colin James MOWAT.
Parents: Mr. and Mrs. E.J. Mowat of DUNEDIN.

Colin Mowat was born at Dunedin on the 23rd November 1923, and received his secondary education at the Otago Boys' High School, passing the University Entrance Examination. When applying for enlistment in aircrew, he was a student at the Dunedin Teacher's Training College, and also a member of the Air Training Corps.

Flight Sergeant Mowat was enlisted at Taieri on the 9th July, 1942, and employed there on ground duties until remustered to aircrew and posted to the Initial Training Wing, Rotorua, on the 26th November. He embarked for Canada on the 12th February 1943, to train under the Empire Air Training Scheme.

Shortly after arrival in Canada, he was posted on the 6th March to No. 5 Air Observers School, Winnipeg, Manitoba, where he was awarded the Air Observers badge and promoted to the rank of Sergeant, on the 23rd July. Later, while serving in the United Kingdom, he was promoted to Flight Sergeant on the 23rd January 1944. Meantime, he had proceeded to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax, Nova Scotia on the 4th August 1943 for embarkation to the United Kingdom.

Flight Sergeant Mowat arrived at No. 12 R.N.Z.A.F Personnel Despatch and Reception Centre, Brighton on the 2nd September, and remained there until posted on the 25th October to No. 4 (Observer) Advanced Flying Unit, West Freugh, Scotland. He then procceeded to No. 11 Operational Training Unit, Westcott, Buckinghamshire, on the 11th January 1944 for crewing up and completion of his training as navigator of Wellington bomber aircraft.

Flight Sergeant Mowat was the navigator of a Wellington aircraft engaged on the 5th April 1944 in a training flight, and which crashed near Rothersthorpe, Northants, on the 5th April 1944, Flight Sergeant Mowat losing his life. He was buried in the Royal Air Force Regional Cemetery, Botley, Oxford.

5/2/16704 A.S.2.
No Log Book.

Mrs. M.M. Mowat (M) (right aligned)
6 Longworth Street, (right aligned)
DUNEDIN N.E.1. (right aligned)