Sergeant William Noakes, 'B' troop, was awarded the Military Medal for his gallantry during operations in North West Europe.

"Sgt. Noakes landed with his unit on D Day at Ouistreham. During this landing he distinguished himself by getting out gangways on the LCI(s) ; after the seamen had become casualties.

On D+1 he again showed himself to be a cool and aggressive leader, on this occasion during street fighting at Sallenelles. His subaltern was killed and Sgt Noakes rose to the occasion and commanded his section with skill and courage.

After those early days he went out on many difficult patrols at night. For his patrol work he gained the respect of his officers, and the complete confidence of his men.

Since then Sgt Noakes has been in hard fighting, a lot of which was at very close quarters at Angerville (20 Aug. 44), Linne (Jan 45), in addition to being in an assault troop in the forcing of the rivers Maas, Rhine, Weser, Aller, and Elbe. In all of these actions his unit was involved in stiff fighting. Sgt. Noakes was on each occasion absolutely reliable, cool, and aggressive. He has never missed a chance of inflicting casualties on the enemy.

His loyalty to the unit and his devotion to duty are quite outstanding, and his personal courage and disregard of danger beyond question."