Tony joined Durham County Constabulary in 1955, being appointed Police Constable 575. He was posted to Blaydon and was sworn in at Gateshead Magistrates Court, two weeks prior to him attending his initial training at the District Police Training Centre, Newby Wiske, North Riding.
Upon completion of his initial training, he was posted to Chester-le-Street, where he lived in digs before moving into a Police House in George Street.
His Police Service saw him serve at East Herrington, Silksworth, Meadowfield and Hartlepool.
He also served a time on Traffic working from Newton Aycliffe, when the first section of motorway was opened in the north-east in 1965; a short section of some 10.5 miles between Scotch Corner and Aycliffe.
Prior to his move to Hartlepool around 1969/70, Tony was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.
In 1974, due to the Local Government Act 1972, Tony chose to transfer from Durham County Constabulary to Cleveland Police rather than move back into Durham.
During his service at Hartlepool was promoted to Inspector and later to Chief Inspector and oversaw the building and commissioning of the new Police Station in Avenue Road, Hartlepool, which opened in 1968.
Tony retired from the Cleveland Police in 1985, after 30 years Police service.
Prior to joining the Police Service Tony was called up to join the Armed Forces in February 1943, at the age of 17 years. After undergoing entry and training for the Royal Marines 42 Commando at HM Dockyard in Chatham, Kent. He later joined HMS Tyne, sailing from Greenock to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), to be based at the naval base of Trincomalee. He later joined HMS Pheobe to undertake patrols in the Bay of Bengal, Nicobar Islands and Andaman Islands.
He served in Burma when the atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945. He was part of the Royal Marines detachment that were detailed to proceed to Penang Island (Malaya) to observe and police the Japanese surrender on 15 August 1945, Victory over Japan, known as VJ Day.
Tony was then deployed to Malta, as part of the Mediterranean fleet, before deploying to Palestine in 1947, where he served until 30 June 1948, when a party of Royal Marines oversaw the formal exit of the British from Palestine. On that day, Tony was given the honour of being the Royal Marine to lower the Union flag for the last time, at the official exit ceremony in Haifa.
He later returned to Malta prior to returning to England where he was stationed at HMS Ganges, Ipswich; he was demobbed in September 1955.
Tony is survived by 4 children, 6 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.
He is predeceased by his wife of 58 years, Beryl, who died in December 2012, aged 83 years.
A funeral service is to be held at 1030hrs on Friday 15th May at St Mary and Thomas Aquinas church, Stella Road, Stella, Blaydon upon Tyne, NE21 4LR followed by cremation at West Road Crematorium and Cemetery, West Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE5 2JL.
Donations in lieu of flowers to the Salvation Army or Royal Marines Association. This can be done via a tribute site for Tony that has been created for anyone to leave their thoughts and memories. It can be accessed at https://anthonynoakes.muchloved.com
After the funeral, friends are invited to join the family for A Celebration of Tony’s Life at Garesfield Golf Club, Chopwell, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE17 7AP from 12:30 onwards.
Our thoughts are with Tony’s family and friends at this sad time.
