Noel Stewart Ferris enlisted in the Australian Army on 29 September 1942, service number N437036. He was discharged as a Private from the Australian Field Survey Training Depot in Victoria on 19 February 1943. The next day, he enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force, service number 430584. He was discharged as a Flying Officer in the 463rd Squadron on 4 February 1946.
Ferris was killed in an aircraft accident at St Merryn's Air Station in Padstow, England on 22 February 1950, aged 25 years. The Armidale Express, 24 February 1950, reported:
Lieut. Noel Ferris had been in England for over two years with the Fleet Air Arm, and was due to come home within a few months. He was to be [an] air-crew member of an aircraft carrier at present being fitted out in England for service with the Royal Australian Navy.
He had joined the Fleet Air Arm of the R.A.N. in 1948 after having a year at the New England University College following discharge from war-time service with the R.A.A.F.
He was buried at St Merryn's Church in England with "full naval honours" and a memorial service was held for him at St Peter's Cathedral in Armidale on 26 February (The Armidale Express, 27 February 1950).