Noel Edwin John Waters

Noel Edwin John Waters was born on 17th December 1892 in Corryong, Victoria, to Alexander Dixie Waters and Alice Mary Jane, nee Jephcott. 

On the 18th August 1915, he enlisted at Melbourne, Victoria. At the time, he was a single, 23-year-old farmer from Corryong, Victoria. He was allocated Regimental Number 3642 and placed in the 8th Reinforcements for the 24th Battalion. Noel gave his next of kin as father, Alexander Waters. After initial training, he embarked on HMAT A19 Afric at Melbourne, Victoria, on 5th January 1916.

Upon arriving in Egypt, he was transferred to the 57th Battalion at Tel-el-Kebir. One month later, on 27th March 1916, he was transferred to No. 52 Battery of the 13th Field Artillery Brigade, but only for a short time, as two months later he was transferred again, this time to the 5th Pioneer Battalion at Ferry Post East.

Noel embarked on CC Tspt Canada on 16th September 1916 and sailed across the Mediterranean, disembarking at Marseille, France, six days later. In September of 1917, he enjoyed a two-week furlough to the UK. His service record states that he was wounded in action on 13th December 1917, but that he remained on duty. On 29th September, 1918, the first day of the Allies' attack on the Hindenberg Line, he was wounded in action for a second time, by a gunshot wound to the chest. He was moved to the 53rd Casualty Clearing Station, then evacuated to England and admitted to the Duchess of Connaught Hospital at Taplow. On 21st December 1918, he was transferred to the 1st Auxiliary Hospital at Harefield.

On 5th January 1919, he returned to Australia aboard HMAT A61 Kanowna, with the rank of Driver. The final opinion of the Medical Board was that his working capacity would be affected by ⅔ due to his wound. He was discharged as medically unfit on 14th November 1919 and awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal for his service during the war.

Noel married May Francis Whitehead on 19th December, 1923, at All Saints Church in Corryong. According to the Corryong Courier's description of the wedding, the couple were to honeymoon on King Island. Noel and May settled at Colac Colac. 

In 1943, Noel, May and their daughter Nola moved to Albury, living at 556 Macauley Street. In the 1954 Electoral Roll, his occupation is listed as a grazier. He passed away on the 12th May 1964 at Corryong, Victoria and was buried in Waugh Road Cemetery, North Albury, NSW.