Ernest Clifford Noyce
From Our Contribution
 Western Mail 20 Apr 1917 Page 23 | |
 King's Park memorial walk, May drive | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | Not known |
| Place of Birth | Waverley, Sydney, New South Wales |
| Death | 5 Feb 1917 |
| Place of Death | Gueudecourt, France |
| Age at Enlistment | 20 years, 1 month |
| Occupation | Engine cleaner |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | (NOK) Wimbledon road, Cannington, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Mother , Mrs Marie Noyce |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 5398 |
| Date of Enlistment | 10 Nov 1915 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 16th Battalion, 17th Reinforcement posted to B Company |
| Date of Embarkation | 17 Apr 1916 ‒ 14 May 1916 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A60 Aeneas Fremantle to Port Tewfik, Egypt |
| Fate | KIA 5 Feb 1917 |
| Monument |
Gosnells War Memorial Gosnells Road Board Honour Roll Villers-Bretonneux Memorial Australian War Memorial |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Contents
Pre War
Two years militia experience prior to enlistment. His enlistment occurred in Geraldton.
War Service
Ernest entered camp on 10 Nov 1915, and on 16 Dec 1915 he was allocated to the 14th reinforcement draft for the 16th Battalion. On 8 Feb 1916 he was reallocated to the 15th reinforcement draft for the same battalion and on 1 Apr 1916 this was changed again to the 17th draft, before he travelled with them to Egypt aboard HMAT A60 Aeneas.
On 20 May 1916 Ernest was admitted to the 2nd Australian Stationary Hospital in Tel-el-Kebir, and two days later he was transferred to the 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital in Abbassia. Discharged to duty on 16 Jun 1916 after 28 days non effective service. He was then AWOL from 6:00am on 22 Jul until 3:00pm on the same day, resulting in him being confined to camp for 5 days, and he forfeited a day's pay.
On 6 Aug 1916 Ernest embarked at Alexandria on HMT Megantic for England, where on arrival he was sent to the 4th Training Battalion in Codford. Later the same day he was admitted to the Fargo Military Hospital with ingrown toenails. At Rollestone on 11 Sep 1916 He was charged with being AWOL from 6:00am on 7 Sep - 6:00am on 11 Sep 1916. Punishment was 120 hours detention, and the forfeiture of 10 day's pay.
Ernest proceeded to France on 30 Sep 1916, and joined the 16th Battalion on 17 Oct 1916 at Woodcote Farm near Reninghurlst about 9 kilometers south west of Ieper (Ypres) where they were in reserve. On 6 Feb 1917 the 16th Battalion were engaged in work parties doing road repair, railway construction, camp improvements, etc. when Ernest became the victim of shell fire. His records do not tell if the shell had been fired by friends or foe.
Notes