Born in Denbeigh, Wales, Noel Barlow immigrated to Canada in 1924. As a child Barlow would watch biplanes flying over his family’s farm and it created within him a great desire to fly. The family moved to Carseland in 1932.
Two years later, Barlow took the first step towards realizing his dream of becoming a pilot. To save money, he worked at the Great Bear Lake and Giant Yellowknife Mines up North, becoming the 16th non-native person to arrive in Yellowknife.
Barlow joined the Calgary Flying Club in 1936 where he obtained a commercial pilot's license. The following year, he sailed to England to join the Royal Air Force. However, at 24, he was too old for pilot training by three months. Instead, he signed up for ground crew for the 242 squadron and later became the personal mechanic for legendary double amputee squadron commander, Douglas Bader. As an experienced pilot he was the best choice as a mechanic as he was able to test fly the aircraft he worked on and made sure that they were in tip-top condition.
But Barlow still dreamed of flying in the RAF. Eventually, with the support of the famous Douglas Bader, he was permitted to remuster as a pilot once the age restrictions were eased up near the end of the war. He started flying Liberators for the RAF, dropping supplies in India and Burma.
After the war was over he and his wife returned to the family farm at Carseland to raise their two daughters.
Barlow started managing the Strangmuir elevators, a job he kept for 25 years.
However, he didn't lose interest in the sky above. Barlow and Jeanne welcomed the Calgary Parachute Club to use the airstrip on the farm.
Noel Barlow (centre) with Jock Palmer (left) and an unidentified friend
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