a Mosquito Navigator who was killed in 1943.
1939/45 Star impressed - NZ 421668 F/SJT. N. Breward. R.N.Z.A.F
Aircrew Europe Star impressed - NZ 421668 F/SJT. N. Breward. R.N.Z.A.F
War Medal impressed - NZ 421668 F/SJT. N. Breward. R.N.Z.A.F
New Zealand War Service Medal impressed - NZ 421668 F/SJT. N. Breward. R.N.Z.A.F
New Zealand Memorial Cross, G.VI.R - correctly engraved NZ 421668 F/SJT. N. Breward.
Condition NEF
| Estimate: | £700 - £1,000 |
Noel Breward was born in Christchurch, New Zealand, on the 20th of December 1914. The son of Harry and Clara Breward, who had emigrated from England.
Noel received 12 months of secondary education in Christchurch, after which he spent two years studying at night school. His main interests were in sports, swimming, cricket and Tennis.
From 1928 until 1941, he was engaged in farming activities and was employed by Mr Ferrier of Christchurch, his father in Tauranga, and Mrs Grubb of Okoroire, Waikato. In 1940 he joined the Territorials and served with the Auckland East Coast Mounted Rifles.
In April 1941, Breward applied for training as an Airman Pilot. He was eventually enlisted at the Initial Training Wing, Rotorua, on the 7th of March 1942, and early in May, having satisfactorily completed his initial training, was posted to No 2 Elementary Flying Training School, New Plymouth. In June, however, his flight training was terminated, and he was posted to Rongotai. On being remustered, he returned to the training school on the 7th of August 1942 for training as an Air Observer. Two months later he was sent to Canada for further training.
In Canada, he was posted to No 7 Air Observers School in Manitoba, were on the 5th of March 1943 he was awarded his air observers badge and promoted to Sergeant.
Posted to England, arriving on the 5th of May 1943, he was posted to No 62 Operational Training Unit in Durham for a Radio Observers Course. After completion, he was posted to No 54 Operational Training Unit, where he trained on Beaufighters.
In September 1943, he was promoted to Flight sergeant and posted to 488 (NZ) Squadron, which operated Beaufighters and Mosquitos. Here he carried out operations as a Navigator and Radio Operator.
On the 20th of December 1943, Breward was returning from a night practice flight in Mosquito HK.375, piloted by Flight Sergeant Ernest Henry Behrent. The aircraft was seen in flames and crashed at 22:10 hrs into the sea 8 miles South East of RAF Bradwell Bay.
Neither man was found, and both are remembered on the Runnymede Memorial.
