Nelson William Noakes
The son of Thomas and Mary Ann Noakes of Byron Lodge, Brighton Road, Addlestone and brother of Albert Thomas Noakes (also named on the memorial), Nelson was born in Badshot Lea, Surrey, in December 1896. In 1913 at the age of 17, Nelson and his brother left their family, who were living at Byron Lodge, Brighton Road, Addlestone, boarded a ship in Plymouth, Devon, bound for Melbourne, and emigrated to Australia, where Nelson found work as a farm hand.
In Portarlington, Victoria, Australia, on the 27 July 1915, at the age of nineteen years and eight months, Nelson enlisted as Private 1014, in C company of the 29th Battalion of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF). Nelsons medical examination record shows:
· He was 5 feet 4 ¼ inches tall
· Weighed 10 stone
· Had a chest measurement of 32 ½ inches (2 ½ inch expansion)
· Fresh complexion
· Blue eyes
· Black hair
· His religion was Methodist.
On 10th November 1915, Nelson embarked on H.M.A.T. Ascanius (ship number 11) at Adelaide, arriving on 7th December 1915 at Suez. On 16th June 1916 Nelson embarked another ship, the Tunisian, at Alexandria, bound for France where his company joined up with the British Expeditionary Force in Marseilles, on 23rd June 1916, as part of the Australian 8th Brigade. The 8th brigade fought its first major battle at Fromelles, on the Somme, starting its attack on 19th July 1916. On the first day of this battle, Nelson was wounded in action, receiving a gunshot wound to his chest.
On 20th July Nelson was admitted to Number 2 casualty clearing station at Bailleul, France, and later on the same day he was placed on the number 7 ambulance train bound for Boulogne, arriving in Boulogne the next day (21st July). Nelson was admitted to the 13th General hospital and remained here until his death, seven days later, on 28th July 1916. Nelson was buried in Boulogne cemetery with the Reverand A.W. Morrow, who was attached to the Boulogne base, officiating. A single photograph of Nelson's grave was later sent to his father.
Following Nelson’s death The AIF received two letters requesting more information regarding how he died, one from his father in Addlestone and one from a Mrs F Mannix of Bellamine, Victoria, Australia. Nelson’s relationship to Mrs Mannix is not known at this time. Later The AIF returned Nelson’s personal possessions to his father, who he had named as his next of kin when attesting. The full extent of Nelson's personal effects were a note book, a pipe and a bible.
Number 2 Casualty Clearing Station (note the train in the background)
Loading a casualty on to a train
Interior of an Ambuance Train
Original Statement of Nelson's service
Nelson's medal entitlement - (also included Memorial Scroll & Plaque)