Service militaire
He was born in Nova Scotia in 1841.
He enlisted in the Navy from New York. While serving on USS Powhatan at Norfolk, Virginia on December 26, 1872, Noil saved a drowning shipmate, Boatswain J.C. Walton. His citation states: "Serving on board the U.S.S. Powhatan at Norfolk, 26 December 1872, Noil saved Boatswain J. C. Walton from drowning." His award is accredited to New York.