He held rank of Lieutenant in the 4th Battalion, Essex Regiment.
Howard was commissioned into the Essex Regiment in 1897.
Then in 1774 it was expanded yet another time to form the 1st, 2nd, 3d, 4th, 5th and 6th Essex Regiments.
Its successor, the Essex Regiment, kept the colour and the nickname.
Noble originally served with the Essex Regiment, enlisting about 1916.
In 1920 he transferred to a Territorial Army battalion of the Essex Regiment.
The 1st/5th Essex Regiment renewed their attack the following morning with more success.
He served with the Essex Regiment but "without pay whilst specially employed".
When the First World War broke out, he served with the Essex Regiment 1914-1918.
The lineage of the 44th transferred to the Essex Regiment in 1881.