Tom Cecil Noel

Lieutenant Tom Cecil Noel MC* (12 December 1897 – 22 August 1918) was a British First World War infantry officer turned aerial observer, notable for winning a Military Cross for bravery on both land and air.

[3] Noel was commissioned as a second lieutenant (on probation) in the 3rd Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers on 12 December 1914 (his 17th birthday),[5] and was confirmed in his rank on 4 September 1915.

[1] He was officially appointed a flying officer (observer) on 26 March 1918, with seniority from 4 January,[9] and the next day gained his second victory, destroying another D.V west of Cappy, with pilot Lieutenant R. G. Bennett.

[10] Noel was awarded a bar to his Military Cross, which was gazetted posthumously on 13 September 1918 for "conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty.

"[11] Noel was originally buried by the Germans at Westrozebeke, but was re-interred at the Perth (China Wall) Cemetery in Ypres, Belgium, in October 1924.