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2404: WING COMMANDER NOEL JOSEPH MOWAT. D.S.O. M.I.D.
Parents: Mr. and Mrs. A.N. MOWAT of CLYDEVALE, OTAGO.

Noel Mowat was born at Clydedale on the 18th September, 1914. He received his secondary education at St. Kevin's College, Oamaru afterwards receiving private tuition to enable him to reach the Air Force Entrance standard. He played football for his school 1st XV and cricket for the 2nd XI also taking part in swimming, running and deerstalking. After leaving school he was employed for a time on his father's farm, and at the time of making application for a short service commission in the Royal Air Force, on the 7th April, 1938 was employed by the Public Works Department, Electrical Branch at Otiro on survey and general construction work. He embarked for the United Kingdom by the "Rangitiki" on the 19th November, 1938.

Noel Mowat was posted with the rank of Acting Pilot Officer to No. 9 Elementary and Reserve Flying Training School at Walsgrave, Coventry on his arrival in England on the 27th December, 1938 for his elementary flying training on Cadet and Tigermoth aircraft. On the 4th March, 1939 he proceeded to No. 10 Flying Training School Ternhill, Shropshire, where he trained on Anson aircraft. Here on the 17th June he was awarded the Flying Badge. He proceeded early in September to No. 6 Flying Training School, Little Rissington, Gloucestershire and completed his service training on the 6th November, when he was posted to No. 245 Squadron at (location redacted). With this Squadron he flew Magister, Gauntlet, Blenheim and Hurricane aircraft.

Noel Mowat was confirmed in the rank of Pilot Officer on the 18th December, 1939 granted the acting rank of Flight Lieutenant on the 18th April, 1940; confirmed in this rank on the 18th July, 1941; granted the Acting rank of Squadron Leader on the 3rd December, 1941 and the Acting rank of Wing Commander on the 21st March, 1943.

Meanwhile, in May 1940 Wing Commander Mowat commenced operational flying by offensive patrols over the beach head