NEWS ITEM in Jersey Evening Post of Friday 22 January 1915

Dead or Alive - Strange Case of a Jersey Soldier. Mr & Mrs A J Noel, who reside at Mont Sohier, St Saviour, are at present passing through a very anxious time, the result of conflicting news that they have received concerning their son, Rifleman A F Noel of the Kings Royal Rifles. The lad enlisted on 19 January last and was attached to the 5th Battalion Kings Royal Rifles in Winchester. Letters have been received from him frequently stating that he was in the best of health and how he hoped soon to be doing his best to push the Germans back, especially as his Battalion owed them an extra grudge for spoiling their Christmas dinner, the men having to leave their repast owing to the fact that a German airman was in the vicinity. The last news of the soldier was received here on 12 January and though the date on the postmark is rather indistinct it seemed certain that it was posted at Southampton on 11 January. The postcard reads "Dear Ma & Dad, I am sorry I could not write before as I have been picked for a draft and I have been moved. By the time you receive this I shall be on my way to fight for my King and Country. With love to all, Fred".

Following this the parents hoped soon to have news from their boy stating he had arrived at the Front, but they were shocked on the arrival last evening of an official letter from the Officer in Charge of the Regimental Records stating that Rifleman A F Noel of the 1st Battalion Kings Royal Rifles with the British Expeditionary Force had died on 6 January as the result of injuries received in action. The usual messages of sympathy from the King and Queen and Lord Kitchener were enclosed. As stated before the anxious parents hardly know what to think. When last heard of their lad was attached to the 5th Battalion but was probably sent with a draft to the 1st Battalion, but on 6 January he was supposed to be safe and sound in England. The only solution of the mystery is one that will alarm another Jersey family as it appears that another Jersey lad of the same name is attached to the 1st Battalion and has been in France for some time. The problem is whether the two lads have been confused by the Officer in charge of the Records. We sincerely hope more definite news will shortly be received.

NEWS ITEM in Jersey Evening Post of Friday 29 January 1915

A Dead Soldier Resuscitated. Our readers will remember the recent case of Private Gray who after being reported by the War Office was found to be alive and well, another very similar case is that of Rifleman A F Noel of the 1st Battalion Kings Royal Rifles, son of Mr & Mrs A J Noel of St Saviours, whose death on 6 January from injuries sustained in action was officially notified to the parents by the War Office on 9 January. Mr & Mrs Noel, though naturally greatly shocked at the news, did not give up hope for they had received a postcard from their son dated 11 January stating that he was about to start for the Front. They immediately communicated with the War Office but have had no reply to date. Their anxiety however was completely allayed by a postcard and letter from their son stating that he is well and is now with the expeditionary Force in France. We heartily congratulate the parents on their good news.

NEWS ITEM in Jersey Evening Post of Monday 1 November 1915

Roll of Honour. Yesterday Mr & Mrs A Noel of St Saviours received the news of the death from wounds received in action of their only son Corporal Alfred Noel of the 2nd Kings Royal Rifle Corps. The deceased, who was only 19, was a most promising soldier and was marked out for further promotion at an early date. He had been reported dead in January last in mistake for his cousin who was serving in the same Corps. Previous to yesterday's communication the parents had received no official notification that anything had happened to their son, but on Wednesday last there came to them a letter from a friend of his, Corporal R Foster of the Kings Royal Rifle Corps, which to some extent prepared them for what was coming. Corporal Foster wrote "Just a line or two hoping this will find you quite well. I am sorry to say Fred was badly hit about 6 days ago and I have not heard from him or anything about him. I sincerely hope he is getting on all right, if you have heard anything would you kindly let me know as I am his best chum." We tender our sincere condolences to the bereaved family.

NEWS ITEM in Jersey Evening Post of Thursday 20 July 1916

The Late Corporal A F Noel Mentioned for Distinguished Service. Mr Alfred Noel of St Saviour has received the following communication from the War Office relative to his son, the late Corporal A F Noel, who was killed in action in France some time ago. The letter reads "War Office, Whitehall. 15 July 1916. Sir, I have it in command from His Majesty the King to inform you as next of kin of the late Corporal Alfred Felix Noel 11386 of the Kings Royal Rifle Corps, that this non-commissioned officer was Mentioned in a Despatch from General Sir Douglas Haig dated 30 April 1916 and published in the Second Supplement to the London Gazette on 13 June, published 15 June 1916, for gallant and distinguished conduct in the field. I am to express to you the King's high appreciation of those services and to add that His Majesty trusts that the public acknowledgement may be of some consolation in your bereavement. I have the honour to be your obedient servant,

G GRAHAM, Lieutenant Colonel. Assistant Military Secretary".