Jack NOBES

RNZAF Service Number: NZ
RNZAF Trade: Signals
Date of Enlistment: 1939
Date of Demob: 1945
Rank Achieved:
Flying Hours: Nil Known
Operational Sorties: Nil Known

Date of Birth: 1905 at Harrow, Middlesex, England
Personal Details: Jack moved to New Zealand with his parents, Sydney John Nobes and Bessie Nobes (nee Bell) and sister Better Patricia Nobes (later Mrs R.B. Miller) when he was aged about seven, in 1912. He went to school initially in Auckland, but in 1919 the family moved to Cambridge and Jack went to Cambridge District High School.He gained his Certificate of Proficiency in December 1919.

In 1921 Jack's father started a coachbuilding business in Ohaupo, and Jack worked with him there for the greater part of the time, moving with the family to Te Awamutu in 1927.

Jack married Eva Hamilton Baird in 1928. They would have three daughters, Elsie, Yvonne and Hilary.

While he continued working in his father’s trade, he was keenly interested in radio since its discovery and he spent most of his time in constructional and experimental work in that field. Jack obtained his Amateur Transmitter’s licence in 1930 and he put on the air station Z.L.1.C.8. which he operated practically up to the time of his death.

He became exceedingly well known for his skill in radio and was approached by many to do service work with receivers until he was spending most of his spare time at that work. He was Te Awamutu branch leader of the Radio Emergency Corps before the war and along with many of its personnel joined the Air Force Reserve in 1938.

After his discharge from the RNZAF Jack opened a business at 62 Sloane Street, Te Awamutu in November 1945 and he continued to be so engaged until the time of his death. He did not have good health after the war but his health deteriorated from July 1948 and he passed away in the Waikato Hospital on the 5th January 1949.

His obituary said, "Mr Nobes who was held in the highest esteem by all who had the pleasure of his friendship was a keen Radio Amateur with a great desire to help all young people interested in that science as a hobby and helped many to get started on the air. Those whom he so helped and many others will always retain the most pleasant memories of a good friend.

Service Details: Being in the Air Force Reserve, Jack was called to service immediately on the outbreak of war in 1939. He and his family moved to Christchuch in 1940 after he was posted to Wigram. He served for six years in New Zealand and overseas in the Signals Section until discharged medically unfit in 1945.

Died: 5th January 1949, at Waikato Hospital.

Connection with Cambridge: Jack lived in Cambridge from 1919 till 1921.

 

________________________________________________________________