The Airmen's Stories - P/O B R Noble
Brian Robert Noble was born on 26th August 1916 and attended Emanuel School (picture below). He joined the RAFVR about May 1938 as an Airman u/t Pilot. Called to full-time service on 1st September 1939, he completed his training and joined 79 Squadron at Biggin Hill in June 1940.
He shared in the destruction of a Do17 and a Me110 on 15th August 1940, shared in the probable destruction of a He59 on 28th August and probably destroyed a Me109 and damaged another on the 31st.
Noble was shot down in combat with Me109's over Biggin Hill on 1st September. He baled out, wounded, landing at Marley Lake, Riverhead and was admitted to Sevenoaks Hospital. His Hurricane, L2062, crashed at Broughton House, Dunton Green.
Above : at the RAF Hospital Torquay
L to R: unknown, Noble, F/O CD Whittingham, F/O LT Bryant-Fenn
Noble later went to Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead for plastic surgery and became a Guinea Pig.
Released from the RAF in 1946, Noble later rejoined, in the Fighter Control Branch.
He retired on 1st May 1969 as a Wing Commander and died in 1990.
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