Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation
Air Commodore N C Singer
Noel Christie
b: 25 Dec 1906
r: 26 Sep 1949
d: 25 Mar 1974
CBE - 1 Jan 1946, DSO - 28 Feb 1939, DFC - 17 Jan 1941, MiD - 15 Sep 1939, MiD – 1 Jan 1945.
Plt Off (P): 13 Apr 1929, Plt Off: 13 Apr 1929, Fg Off: 13 Oct 1930, Flt Lt: 13 Oct 1934, Sqn Ldr: 1 Jun 1938, (T) Wg Cdr: 1 Dec 1940, (T) Gp Capt: 1 Sep 1942, Act A/Cdre: xx xxx 1945, Wg Cdr: 1 Oct 1946, Gp Capt: 1 Jul 1947, A/Cdre: Retained.
27 Apr 1929: U/T Pilot, No 3 FTS.
1 Apr 1930: Pilot, No 54 Sqn.
xx xxx 1930: Officer Commanding, 'C' Flight, No 54 Sqn.
2 Apr 1931: Adjutant, No 54 Sqn.
24 Sep 1931: Pilot/Instructor, No 600 (City of London) Sqn AuxAF.
14 Mar 1933: Attended Instructors' Course, CFS (graded B)
10 Jun 1933: Assistant Adjutant/Instructor, No 607 (County of Durham) Sqn AuxAF.
21 Mar 1935: Adjutant/Instructor, No 607 (County of Durham) Sqn AuxAF.
13 Apr 1934: Granted a Permanent Commission in the rank of Flying Officer.
19 Jul 1936: Attached, Air Armament School, for Armament Course
3 Nov 1936: Officer, No 2 Armoured Car Company.
7 Jul 1938: Officer Commanding, No 6 Sqn. (Hardys)
19 Dec 1939: Posted to Home Establishment
11 Jan 1940: Embarked on HMT Dilwara for transit to Home Establishment
14 Jun 1940: Supernumerary, No XV Sqn and attached to RAF West Raynham for operational training
15 Jun 1940: Attached to No 101 Sqn
30 Jun 1940: 'A' Flight Commander, No XV Sqn.
xx xxx 1940: Attached?, SHQ RAF Finningley
10 Jul 1940: Attached, No 106 Sqn (arrived 11 Jul 1940)
15 Jul 1940: Officer Commanding, No 101 Sqn.
xx Apr 1941: Officer Commanding, RAF Wattisham
21 Feb 1942 Officer Commanding, 'X' Wing. (Burma)
11 Mar 1942: Officer Commanding, 'Akwing'. (Burma)
6 Apr 1942: Officer Commanding, 'Burwing'
9 May 1942: Returned to India
12 May 1942: SASO, HQ No 221 Group
12 Oct 1942: Air Staff, AHQ Bengal
1 Oct 1943: Officer Commanding, No 185 Wing
19 Feb 1945: SASO, HQ No 38 Group
xx xxx 1947: Deputy Director of Accident Prevention.Retired at his own request.
Report for the award of Distinguished Service Order
"SINGER, Noel Christie, S/L.
Squadron Leader Singer has been in command of No.6 (Bomber) Squadron in Palestine since July 1938 and before that served for 20 months in No.2 Armoured Car Company in Palestine."
(Source - Aeroplane of 8 March 1939)
WO 373/106, Part 4 has the following recommendation:
"For extremely valuable work on active operations as a section commander in an armoured car company and, since July 1938, for fine leadership and devotion to duty while in command of a bomber squadron and while carrying out the duties of Air Operations Officer in Ramleh; and in particular for conspicuous courage and leadership of 11 aircraft during an attack on a rebel concentration at Deir Ghassana on 15th September 1938."
Recommendation for a French award
"SINGER, Noel Christie, A/C, DSO, DFC - No.38 Group
Air Commodore Singer has been the Senior Air Staff Officer in No.38 Group since February 1945. During that time he was responsible for the detailed planning of the air aspect of all SAS airborne operations. In particular, his work in connection with the detailed planning of Operations AMHURST and KEYSTONE was undoubtedly a contributory factor towards their success."
This award was offered in a personal message by Colonel Bourgoin, Commander of No.2 RCP and later Head of the Inspectorate Parachutiste of the French Air Ministry, in a personal message to Lieutenant-Colonel Ian G. Collins of G.1 (SAS Section), Headquarters, 1st British Airborne Division (Rear). Offer received in Air Ministry via Headquarters, No.38 Group and Headquarters, Transport Command. Accepted by Air Ministry on 2 October 1945 via message to Transport Command Headquarters, although another list in the same file dates the acceptance from 4 October 1945. It is not clear what award is being conferred.
(Source - Air 2/9141)
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Air Commodore Singer's awards |
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The page from his Log Book showing the aircraft types he flown during his career. Photo's courtesy - Phil Brazier© |
This page was last updated on 02/09/23©
L F Sinclair