DAVIES, NOEL FRANCIS LLOYD

Born 24/12/1919 in Derbyshire

Died 02/07/1940, age 20 at Ampthill, Bedfordshire (also given as Cranfield, Bucks)

Buried 06/07/1940

754516, Sergeant, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Son of Ronald Harry and Hilda Gertrude Davies of Barnoldby-le-Beck

Address: 27 Oliver Street, Cleethorpes

Grave ref: Section BB, grave B17

http://www.northlincsweb.net/UlcebyWarMemorial/html/noel_davies.html tells the story of Noel’s RAF career:

“At the time of Noel’s enlistment his parents lived at Cleethorpes and moved to Barnoldby-le-Beck near Waltham shortly afterwards.

Noel was born on Christmas Eve 1919 in Derby. His parents were Ronald Harry and Hilda Gertrude Davies and he was the oldest of 5 children - Noel, Stephen, Ruth, Keith and Glyn.

Prior to his enlistment Noel worked as an insurance clerk before joining the RAF on 1st Sept 1939.

Noel completed his basic RAF training at No 3 Initial Training Wing at Hastings and was then transferred to No 4 Elementary Flying Training School where he qualified as a pilot and was awarded his “Wings”. These are shown proudly worn on his tunic in the portrait photo. Although still under training he was rated a student pilot of Proficiency A and Very Good Character.

He was transferred to No 14 Service Flying Training School at Cranfield in Bedfordshire on the 20th April 1940 where he was to undergo a further period of training. It was during this period that Noel tragically lost his life.

On the 2nd July 1940 Noel was undertaking practise night flying take offs, circuits and landings at the airfield in a Miles Master aircraft N7695. For an unknown reason the aircraft crashed soon after take-off at the airfield boundary. Bob Hollowday was first on the scene and made valiant attempts to save Noel but sadly to no avail.”

The Bob Hollowday mentioned in the story of the crash was another Lincolnshire lad and  http://www.victoriacrossonline.co.uk/vivian-hollowday-gc/4589237382 gives more details about him and the great bravery, which saw him awarded the George Cross:

“Bob (or Vivian) Hollowday was born on 13 October 1916 in Ulceby and attended Worksop College, a public school in North Nottinghamshire before joining the Royal Air Force at the start of World War II, in September 1939. He was a member of 14 Flying Training School, and of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.  

He was the first non-commissioned member of the RAF to receive the George Cross for the following action.

He was 23 years old and serving in the RAF when, returning to camp, he witnessed an aircraft crash and burst into flames. He rushed to the site and made his way through the wreckage; finding the pilot's clothes were on fire, he put out the flames with his bare hands. Had the pilot, Sergeant Noel Davies not been killed instantly in the impact. Hollowday's action would in all probability have saved his life. In August 1940, when once again he was returning to camp, an aircraft spun to the ground and exploded. Hollowday immediately went to the crash site. There was a second explosion and ammunition was bursting around all the time, but despite this he borrowed a gas mask, wrapped two sacks over himself and spent some time in the flames, making four attempts before releasing the first occupant. He then re-entered the burning wreckage and successfully removed the second. All three crew, however, were already dead. He served on the Committee of the VC and GC Association until his death in 1977.”