Tara Murray
One of the last men to leave Gallipoli during World War I is among those recognised on Aintree’s new Walk of Honour.
The family of James Norman Noble were among those to visit the memorial on Sunday for a dedication ceremony.
Mr Noble, who was born in 1880, spent time in Europe during World War I, including at Gallipoli and Lone Pine.
His grandson, Dennis Thornton, said his grandfather was one of the people known as the “die-hards”.
He said Mr Noble was one of the last 30 people left on the beach at Gallipoli, who faced the enemy so the rest of the troops could leave without loss.
Mr Noble went on to fight in a number of other locations and progressed through the ranks to become a sergeant. He was awarded a Military Medal for his bravery.
Mr Noble was injured a number of times during the war and was later sent to England to recover. It was there that he met his wife, Catherine, with the two returning to Australia in 1919. They had five children.
Mr Thornton said it was pretty special to see his grandfather recognised on the Walk of Honour.
“He was the ultimate gentleman,” he said. “I was fortunate enough to grow up with him and this is a legacy and it will live on.
“My grandfather would have wanted his army mates’ names put forward before him, he was so humble.
“It’s really important for me.”
Mr Thornton, who has his grandfather’s war medals, also has a penny that his grandfather found in England, which is dated 1797 – his service number.
Mr Thornton said it was his daughter Paige who approached Caroline Springs RSL Sub-branch about having her great-grandfather recognised.
She works nearby and walks past the site of the plaque regularly.
“For my dad, it’s about remembering my grandfather, as the type of person he was,” she said.
“For me and my sister and brother… it’s the way we’ll be able to remember him for the future to come.
“With this plaque, information has been brought up that we were never told before. It’s a good reminder about who he is, what he has done for our family and our country as well.
“It is quite touching in a way. To come past and my family is on the walk of honour, and it’s an honour to have him there.”
Caroline Springs RSL Sub-branch president Andrew Marshall also has a plaque on the Walk of Honour.
He led the deciciation service on Sunday.
“It is terrific, it was opened in about 2019 and since then we’ve been working hard to get the extra plaques and we finally get to dedicate the whole walk,” he said in the lead up to the dedication.
“It’s excellent to see people there who have plaques. The council has put a lot of effort into it.”
He said many local RSL members were recognised along the Walk of Honour.
