246

AJM/NF (right aligned)
413277 : Sergeant Ernest Joseph OUTEN.
PARENTS : Mr. & Mrs. F.W. Outen of Gisborne.

Ernest Outen was born at Gisborne on the 27th May 1921. He was awarded his Proficiency Certificate at the Mangapapa School, Gisborne. He was actively interested in football and swimming. After leaving school he was employed as a baker's assistant and at the time of making application for aircrew on the 6th December 1939 he was employed by Mr. H.J. Wootton of Gisborne.

Sergeant Outen was enlisted at the Initial Training Wing, Levin on the 7th June 1941 and embarked for Canada on the 14th August under the Empire Air Training Scheme.

Shortly after arrival in Canada Sgt. Outen was posted to No. 3 Wireless School, Winnipeg, for training as a wireless operator. This was terminated and he was posted to the Composite Training School, Trenton, (was Manitoba) Ontario where he was remustered to air gunner and and posted to No. 6 Bombing and Gunnery School, Mountain View, Ontario, on the 25th April 1942. Here on the 25th May he was awarded his air gunners' badge and promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He proceeded to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax, Nova Scotia, on the 4th June for embarkation to the United Kingdom.

Sgt. Outen arrived at No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre, Bournemouth on the 25th June and during late July and early August was given a refresher course at No. 7 Air Gunnery School, Stormy Down, Wales, before posting on the 18th August to No. 11 Operational Training Unit at Bassingbourn, Hertfordshire.

Sgt. Outen was an air gunner of the crew of a Wellington which took off from Bassingbourn on