SERGEANT NOEL SWALES R.A.
Official
news has been received by his father of the award of the Military Medal to
Sergeant Noel Swales R.A. now in the Middle East, the second son of Mr. J.
H. Swales of Marsh End, Knottingley, and the late Mrs. Swales.
The
citation of the incidents leading to the award says:
This
N.C.O.had been in charge of a Bofors Gun Detachment for a long period
during which time he assisted in the defence of various vulnerable points
in the Island. Over this long period he has shown particularly
outstanding abilities both in and out of action. As a result of his
excellent leadership and coolness, the firing of his detachment, whatever
the conditions of the enemy attack may have been, was always of the
highest quality and has resulted in considerable damage to the
enemy. In the April of 1942 when his gun was located near an
aerodrome, a friendly plane crashed near his position and at once burst
into flames. Despite the danger involved from live ammunition and
exploding petrol tanks, this N.C.O. rushed to the assistance of the Pilot,
who, unconscious, was trapped in the cockpit, With assistance he managed
to remove the pilot but he unfortunately died on the way to
hospital.
Whilst
acting as an anti-aircraft gunner in a merchant ship in September 1941,
Sergeant Swales rendered excellent service in the destruction of a torpedo
bomber which action saved the ship. At all times this N.C.O. has
shown a superb fighting spirit and his coolness and courage have resulted
in much damage to the enemy and a high state of moral to his men.
Sergeant
Swales was previously employed by Messrs. Bagley and Company,
Knottingley. He volunteered for military service in August 1940, and
served in an anti- aircraft unit during the heavy London blitz. In
July 1941 he was posted to Malta. He has two brothers in the
services, one with the Royal Navy and the other in the West Yorkshire
Regiment.
The
Award was announced in the 'London Gazette' on
February 18th.
From
the Pontefract And Castleford Express, March 12th 1943
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