Singer, Noel Christie

Date of birth:: December 25th, 1906
Date of death:: March 25th, 1974
Service number:: 28057
Nationality:: British

Biography

Noel Christie Singer joined the Royal Air Force in 1929 as a pilot trainee at No. 3 Flying Training School. He quickly advanced through the ranks, serving with No. 54 Squadron and later as an instructor with Auxiliary Air Force units. By 1938, he was commanding No. 6 (Bomber) Squadron in Palestine.

During World War II, Singer held several key operational roles:
- Commanded No. 101 Squadron and RAF Wattisham during the early war years.
- Led multiple wings in Burma, including ‘X’ Wing, ‘Akwing’, and ‘Burwing’, contributing to Allied efforts in Southeast Asia.
- Served as Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO) at HQ No. 221 Group and AHQ Bengal, overseeing strategic air operations.

In 1945, Singer became SASO at HQ No. 38 Group, where he was responsible for planning airborne operations involving the Special Air Service (SAS). His work on Operations AMHURST and KEYSTONE was recognized by the French Air Ministry, which offered him an award for his contributions.

Singer retired on 26 September 1949 and passed away on 25 March 1974.

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Distinguished Service Order (DSO)

Rank:: Squadron Leader
Unit:: No. 6 (Bomber) Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:: February 28th, 1939

"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."

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"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."

Mentioned in Dispatches

Rank:: Squadron Leader
Unit:: No. 6 (Bomber) Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:: September 15th, 1939

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Temporary Wing Commander
Unit:: No. 101 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:: January 17th, 1941

Mentioned in Dispatches

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Unit:: No. 185 Wing, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:: January 1st, 1945

Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE, Military Division)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Acting Air Commodore
Unit:: No. 38 Group, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:: January 1st, 1946

Officier de l' Ordre National de la Legion d'Honneur

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Air Commodore
Unit:: No. 38 Group, Royal Air Force

"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."

Colonel Bourgoin, Commander of No. 2 RCP and later Head of the Inspectorate Parachutiste of the French Air Ministry, extended an award offer in a personal message to Lieutenant-Colonel Ian G. Collins of G.1 (SAS Section), Headquarters, 1st British Airborne Division (Rear). The offer was transmitted to the Air Ministry via Headquarters No. 38 Group and Transport Command. The Air Ministry formally accepted the offer on 2 October 1945, according to a message sent to Transport Command Headquarters, although another document in the same file records the acceptance date as 4 October 1945. The specific nature of the award remains unclear