295

DA/NF (right aligned)
416105 : Flight Sergeant Charles Grierson FOSTER.
MOTHER : Mrs. J.G. Foster of Auckland.

Charles Foster was born on the 3rd March 1921, at Auckland, and received his secondary education at Auckland Grammar School, where he gained his Matriculation and Higher Leaving Certificate. The sports in which he was actively interested included rugby, cricket, tennis and golf. He played for his school 1st XI. After leaving school he was employed as a clerk in the Bank of New South Wales, Auckland, and was so employed at the time of making application for aircrew training on the 28th February 1941.

Flight Lieutenant Foster was enlisted at the Initial Training Wing, Levin on the 9th November, 1941 and on the completion of his initial training was posted on the 8th February, 1942, to No. 4 Elementary Flying Training School, Whenuapai, for his elementary flying training and No. 3 Service Flying Training School, Ohakea and No. 2 Service Flying Training School, Woodbourne, for his flying training. At the latter school, he was awarded his flying badge on the 4th April, 1942. On the 13th June, 1942 he was promoted to Sergeant, and further promoted to Flight Sergeant on the 15th May, 1943. He embarked on the "Dominion Monarch" for the United Kingdom on the 22nd June, 1942.

F/Sgt. Foster arrived at No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre, Bournemouth, on the 30th July, 1942, and on the 18th August was posted to No. 15 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit, Kirmington, Lincolnshire, and thence - on the 19th September - to No. 1512 Beam Approach Training Flight, Dishforth, Yorkshire. On completion of the course he was posted on the 1st October to No. 28 Operational Training Unit, Wymeswold, Leicestershire.

On the night of the 11th December, 1942, F/Sgt. Foster was the 2nd pilot of a Wellington bomber which took off on a training flight and was involved in an accident, F/Sgt. Foster receiving serious injuries consisting of multiple