RIP Ron Noice – Dresden Raid Marker

I am very sad to see my good mate Ron Noice passed away on Sunday after not being well for some time. Ron was a Navigator/Bomb Aimer on Pathfinder Lancasters with No. 405 Squadron RCAF (he was a kiwi though in the RNZAF).

It was Ron who was the first to drop flare markers on the target that would become the very controversial Dresden raid.

He and his crew were shot down by an upward firing German night fighter on their 30th op, and all but one became POW’s (the other was murdered after landing in his chute by German locals). After the war Ron ran the New Zealand Prisoner Of War Association both as Secretary and President for many decades.

He also starred in the Maori Television documentary “Night After Night”, and for some years was a committee member of the Cambridge Returned and Services Association. Ron was a stalwart member of the New Zealand Bomber Command Association.

He lived a block away from me and I used to chat with him often. I will miss him immensely.

NOICE, Ronald Charles (Q.S.M. WWII, RAF 405 Pathfinder Squadron, F.O. 429800). – Passed away peacefully at Atawhai Assisi on 13th July, 2014; aged 90 years. Dearly beloved husband of Pearl for 65 years. Loved and loving father and father-in-law of Jackie and Laurie, Greg and Margaret, Christine and Brian. Much loved Pappy of Stephen, Joanne, Melanie, Carolyn, Kathryn, and their partners. Loved Grand Pappy to all his great-grandchildren.
“Have a great flight on your final journey.”
– A Requiem Mass will be held at St Peters Catholic Church, Anzac Street, Cambridge, on Thursday, 17th July, 2014, at 10.30am. Followed by interment at Hautapu R.S.A Cemetery, Cambridge. Grinter Funeral Services Ltd, 3 Hallys Lane, Cambridge