Flight Sergeant Noel Loveday, the son of David Henry Loveday and Lily Sarah Loveday (nee Austin), was born at Pittsworth in Queensland on 14th July 1918. He was educated at the Pittsworth State School and then attended the Toowoomba Grammar School during the years 1933 until 1934 where he completed the Junior Public Examination. After leaving school he worked as a Farm Hand. He applied for aircrew training in the Royal Australian Air Force on 9th July 1940. At the age of 22 years and 5 months he was enrolled in the Reserve of the R.A.A.F. on 25th July 1940 after swearing an oath of allegiance. He was enlisted into the Citizen Air Force of the R.A.A.F. at No. 3 Recruiting Centre in Brisbane on 6th January 1941 after giving a commitment that he would serve for the duration of the war and an additional twelve months. At the time of his enlistment he was unmarried, employed as a Farm Hand and residing at “Hillview” at Pittsworth in Queensland. His physical description was that he was 5 feet 9 inches in height and weighed 162 pounds. He had a fair complexion, blue eyes and dark brown hair. He stated that he was of the Church of England religion. He gave his next of kin as his father, Mr David Henry Loveday, residing at “Hillview”, Pittsworth, Queensland.
Flight Sergeant Noel Loveday was allotted the service number of 405049 and he joined No. 3 Initial Training School at Amberley in Queensland on 6th January 1941 where he was trained in military discipline and the basics of military aviation. After completing his course at Amberley he was selected for training as a Wireless/Air Gunner. He joined No. 2 Wireless & Gunnery School at Parkes in New South Wales on 5th February 1941. He joined No. 1 Bombing & Gunnery School at Evans Head in New South Wales on 28th July 1941. After completing his training at Evans Head he was awarded the Wireless Operator/Air Gunner Qualification Badge and promoted to the rank of Temporary Sergeant on 22nd August 1941. He joined No. 5 Squadron at Laverton in Victoria on 25th August 1941. He proceeded overseas for service on 15th December 1941 and he returned to Australia on 7th February 1942.
Flight Sergeant Noel Loveday joined No. 100 Squadron Royal Australian Air Force on 14th July 1942. He was promoted to the rank of Temporary Flight Sergeant on 1st August 1942. He proceeded overseas for duty on 9th September 1942 and he returned from overseas as a member of the rear party of No. 100 Squadron on 9th October 1942. He joined the Reserve Recruit Pool in Townsville on 9th October 1942. He joined No. 100 Squadron for operational duty on 31st October 1943. The squadron moved to Gurney in New Guinea on 2nd November 1942.
Flight Sergeant Noel Loveday was a Wireless/Air Gunner and crew member of a No. 100 Squadron Royal Air Force Bristol Beaufort Torpedo Bomber A9-188 that was lost during air operations in the vicinity of Gasmata in New Britain on 21st May 1943. His father was advised by telegram on 24th May 1943 that Noel Loveday was missing believed killed in air operations Gasmata, New Britain. On 10th May 1946 Casualty report states, ‘Previously reported missing believed killed, now pres. Dead by DPS. w.e.f. 21st May 1943.
Flight Sergeant Noel Loveday, for his service during World War 2, had entitlement for the Air Gunner Qualification Badge, the 1939/1945 Star, the Pacific Star, the War Medal and the Australian Service Medal 1939/1945. His name is commemorated on Panel No. 105 at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra and locally on the Pittsworth Honour Stone and the Toowoomba Grammar School World War 2 Honour Board.
Bristol Beaufort Torpedo Bombers in flight.
Toowoomba Grammar School archive records show that he enrolled as a boarder on 31st January 1933 and that he left the School on 31st December 1934 after passing six subjects in the Junior Public Examination. His parent was shown as Mr David Henry Loveday, “Hillside”, Pittsworth.
