Urban Noel was born in Bay City, Michigan, on August 3, 1896, the son of Francis Noel (born in Quebec) and Maud (nee Bondroitt, born in Canada) Noel, of 156 Cotterbury Street, Sarnia. His siblings included Maud Grace (born 1888); Francis (born 1889); Bertha (born 1892); Laura (born 1894); Eva (born 1898); Dela (born 1899); Rita (born 1902); and Mary H. (born 1907). Urban’s older sister, Maud Grace, would marry Percival Guertin in September of 1908 in Sarnia, and Noel’s brother-in-law, Percival, would also serve in the Great War, later losing his life during fighting in the trenches of France in April of 1918. Percival Guertin is memorialized on the Vimy Memorial and on the Sarnia cenotaph, and is included in this Project.

In May of 1910, the then thirteen-year old Urban Noel was confirmed at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, Sarnia. When Noel enlisted, his parents were living in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA., while Noel was living in Peterborough, Ontario. Urban enlisted May 29, 1917 in Hamilton, Ontario with Depot Regiment, Canadian Mounted Rifles. At the time, Urban listed his occupation as a machinist and his marital status as single. He would later be transferred, becoming a member of the Army, Canadian Infantry, Central Ontario Regiment, 102nd Battalion, with the rank of Private. On August 8, 1918, Urban Noel would lose his life while fighting in France at the Battle of Amiens, on the first day of Canada’s final Hundred Days Campaign. Urban Noel would later be officially listed as, Killed in Action. He took part with his Company in an attack and when emerging from Beaucourt Wood he was hit in the head by a bullet and killed, between the first and second objective.

In September of 1918, Urban’s parents, Francis and Maud on Cotterbury Street in Sarnia, would receive a letter from the Battalion Chaplain. The following is an excerpt from that letter:

102nd Can. Inf. Battalion, France, Aug. 15, 1918

My Dear Mr. Noel,

It is my sad duty to announce to you the death of your son U.J. Noel, No. 226970 which occurred on Aug. 8th while he was in action with the enemy. I was with your son, but a few hours before he met death, and heard his confession and gave him Holy communion. In paying the supreme price for the cause of right your son merits a martyrs crown in Heaven and an inestimable debt of gratitude from mankind. He was a noble soldier and a good devout Practical Catholic.

 Your son was buried in the 11th Can. Inf. Batt. Cemetery at Beaucourt en Santerre on Aug. 10th with Military honors and Catholic services…. His personal effects will be forwarded to you in due time through proper channels. Accept my heartfelt sympathy and assurance of prayers for the repose of your son’s soul.

                                          Very Sincerely, Chas. A. Fallon, R.C. Chaplain

For Urban’s sister, Maud Grace, she had lost her husband Percival Guertin four months earlier. Twenty-two year old Urban Noel is buried in Beaucourt British Cemetery, Somme, France, Grave B.18.

SOURCES: A, B, C, D, E, F, L, N, 2C, 2D, 2G