Noel W Fraser Vincent DFC (1907)

Biography

Noel W Fraser Vincent DFC was born 7th April 1907 at Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. He was a son of Thomas W Vincent and Constance J M unknown.^[1]

Noel served in the Royal Australian Air Force during the Second World War. He was initially commissioned as a Flying Officer on 29th April 1940, however relinquished his commission to be enlisted as a Aircraftman on 25th May 1941. He was promoted to Leading Aircraftman on 19th July that year and embarked on October for Canada and, eventually, Britain. He was promoted to Sergeant in February 1942 upon arrival in England. Destined to be an air force officer he was once more commissioned as a Flying Officer in August 1942. Vincent was transferred from 464 Squadron to 150 Squadron in October 1942 and promoted to Squadron Leader in April 1943. He was appointed commanding officer of 464 Squadron in January 1945. He was demobilised and resigned his commission on 1st April 1946.^[2] He served in several squadrons but his time in 464 Squadron is most notable.

Noel was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross twice, the cross being gazetted in London 27th April 1943 on page 1906 at position 2;^[3] 'for sorties over Germany, Italy and Tunisia'. He was also awarded the United States Distinguished Flying Cross; gazetted in London 7th December 1943 on page 5340 at position 1.^[4]

He married divorcee, Florence Crawford nee Porges, in 1946 in the United States of America. They returned to New South Wales, where Noel owned substantial properties.

Sources

1. ↑ New South Wales Birth Index #17454/1907
2. ↑ Australian War Memorial nominal roll: O210040 (411832) Flight Lieutenant Noel Fraser Vincent; accessed 24 Mar 2019
3. ↑ Australian War Memorial Honours and Awards: DIstinguished Flying Cross; accessed 24 Mar 2019
4. ↑ Australian War Memorial Honours and Awards: US Distinguished Flying Cross; accessed 24 Mar 2019

• unsubstantiated family records