Private Ivan Newatt Noble
| Date of Birth | c. 1882 |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | 34 |
| Date of Death | 25 September 1916 |
| Service Number | 452 |
| Military Service | 1st Battalion East Surrey Regiment |
| Merton Address | 25 Robinson Road, Mitcham |
| Local Memorial | Mitcham War Memorial |
Additional Information
Ivan was born between April and June 1882 in Tranmere, Birkenhead. According to the 1881 Census, Ivan’s father, Edmund Noble, a journalist, was living at 30 Whitford Road, Tranmere, Birkenhead, Cheshire along with Ivan’s mother, Marie T.J. Noble and their children Eleanor, George Edmund and Edmund.
We first find Ivan in the 1901 Census where the family were staying at 8 Hoe Gardens, Plymouth, Devon, where he was living with his mother, shown as the head of the household and living by her own means, along with Eleanor, a schoolteacher, and George, a mechanical engineer fitter. Ivan is working as a brewer’s clerk.
By the time of the 1911 Census the family had again moved and were now living in Mitcham at 3 Pretoria Maisonettes, 25 Robinson Road, Colliers Wood. Ivan was listed as the head of the household and was now employed as a shipping clerk. His mother and sister Eleanor, now a governess, were living with him.
Ivan enlisted with the East Surrey Regiment at Kingston on Thames on 27 August 1914. His personal details were recorded as: Height 5 feet 6.1/4 inches. Weight 155lbs. Chest 37.1/2inches, expansion 2.1/2inches. Complexion dark. Eyes blue. Hair dark brown. His profession was recorded as a Typist. Ivan enlisted initially with the 7th Battalion as part of Kitchener’s First New Army. They trained at Purfleet and spent the winter in billets in Sandgate. They moved to Albuhera Barracks in Aldershot in February 1915 for final training. The battalion landed at Boulogne on 2 June 1915 and one of the first battles they were involved in was at the Battle of Loos in September 1915.
On 19 September 1916, Ivan transferred to the 1st Battalion, and was killed in action during the Battle of Morval, France on the 25th September 1916, just a few days later.
Ivan is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial which is dedicated to those that have no known grave. Thiepval is in the Somme Department, Northern France, approximately 20 miles NE of Amiens. He is also remembered on the Mitcham War Memorial.
Ivan was awarded the British War Medal, the Victory Medal and the 1914-1915 Star Medal.