Noble Nigel Griffith Amedroz Major 95493
Personnel Entry
Name Noble Nigel Griffith Amedroz
Army number 95493
Rank Major
Decorations M.i.D. 6/4/1944. M.i.D. 11/10/1945 (Middle East). M.C. 21/12/1944 (Normandy) - see below for Citation.
Date of birth 4/6/1919 - registered Q3 1919 Havant, Hampshire.
Age 0
Unit Emergency Commission as a 2/Lt in the Black Watch 1/7/1939. Posted 1 TS, Attended Small Arms Course 3/40. Posted to join B.E.F. 1/4/1940. Posted 1st Bn Black Watch - date not yet known. Commissioned in the Regular Army. Retired 12/10/1970.
Company/Battery A Coy
Platoon or other sub-unit Not yet known.
Task or role Duty Officer.
Joined Brigade 1/2/1940.
Promotions W/S Lt 1/1/1941. T/Capt. T/Major. Captain 1/7/1946. Major 1/9/1952. Lt Col 28/2/1961. Colonel 16/4/1964. Brigadier 31/12/1966.
Wounded 10/4/1940 and 4/6/1940. 13/8/1944.
Prisoner of War
Died/Killed in action 21/2/1997.
Home address Emsworth, Hants. Son of Frederick Burnaby Noble and Elsie Mackintosh Harnam. Marriage to Leonie E. Hammond-Chambers registered Q4 1950, Uckfield, Sussex.
Source table 1TS
Major Noble was awarded the Military Cross in 1944 while serving with 1st Battalion, The Black Watch. His Citation - which was downloaded from the digitised file at The National Archives - whose help is gratefully acknowledged - reads as follows:-
"During this Battalion's attack on the woods South East of ST.SYLVAIN during the night of 11/12/August,1944 the Company under the command of this Officer was set the difficult task of advancing for some distance through and clearing a large wood. They successfully accomplished this task thanks to the outstanding skill and determination with which Major Noble led and organised them in this task. Throughout the night he showed considerable courage in leading them under heavy spandau fire and during the subsequent re-organisation under intense shelling and mortaring his cheerful and resolute bearing were an inspiration to all ranks. His Company took about 30 prisoners as well as about a dozen spandaus. Had the objective not been so rapidly and successfully captured under his skilful and courageous leadership the whole operation might have been prejudiced and very heavy casualties would have resulted."
The Citation was put forward by the CO of 1st Black Watch and approved by the Brigadier of 154th Infantry Brigade, Major-General Rennie of 51st (Highland) Division, the Lt General commanding 1 Corps, Lt General Crerar commanding 1st Canadian Army and finally Field Marshal Montgomery of 21st Army Group.
