Flight Sergeant Noel Prescott - 12 Squadron  
   

Flight Sergeant Noel Gordon Prescott  - RAFVR

 

 Flight Sergeant Noel Prescott  was serving as Wireless Operator on board Lancaster Mk.I PB851 coded PH-S for an operation to Munchen on January 7/8 1945. The aircraft departed from Wickenby at 1833hrs but was lost without a trace. The crew are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
 

The crew consisted of:

Name Service Trade Hometown  Age
F/O Robert Hanbidge  RCAF Pilot Kerrobert,Saskatchewan 23
Sgt Robert Rickeard  RAFVR Flight Engineer Annintsford,Northumberland 24
F/Sgt George Flaxman  RAFVR Navigator Derby 36
F/Sgt Noel Prescott RAFVR W/Op/AG Spalding, Lincolnshire  22
F/Sgt Henry Croucher  RAFVR Bomb Aimer Newcastle on Tyne 22
F/Sgt John Gynane  RCAF M/Up Gunner Peterborough, Ontario -
F/Sgt Grant Durnan  RCAF Rear Gunner Toronto, Ontario 19

 

Noel Prescott (centre) with his parents and crew members.

 Flight Sergeant Noel Gordon Prescott RAFVR was the son of Robert and Mary Prescott and brother of Robert and Margaret of Spalding in Lincolnshire. His parents ran a sweet shop in Spalding and Noel was known as Gordon by his family. He worked as a linotype Operator for the Spalding Free Press and had a reputation as having lots of girlfriends. He joined the RAF in 1943 and 12 Squadron in late 1944. He was involved in a motor bike accident near Sleaford in which he broke his leg, upon his recovery he was assigned to  a new crew flying under F/O Hanbidge RCAF from September 1944 onwards.

Noel Prescott (3rd from left back row) an original crew.

 

The last page from Noel Prescott's logbook.

 

Photo courtesy of Julia Fordham, research by Linda Ibrom