Born at Dunkeld in the Western District of Victoria, Oswald Habel was the eldest of eleven children born to Emil and Annie (nee Hempel) of Minyip,Victoria. Of these children, two other Habel boys, Otto and Walter, joined up. In the wider habel family, in all, there were nine volunteers, mostly from Murtoa,Victoria.

Oswald Habel enlisted for the AIF on 10 July, 1916, at the age of 41 years. His next of kin was his father, Emil Habel, then living at Murtoa. He was single and worked in Melbourne as a salesman, but prior to moving to Melbourne he had been a bookseller and stationer in Main St, Minyip, leaving his business there in 1914. Initially, he may have been considered too old to enlist, or perhaps he was simply not ready to go to war until necessary. At the time of his enlistment, he was living at 163 Hotham St., East Melbourne, close to Carl Louis Habel and his wife Florence at 1089 Hoddle St., perhaps a cousin.

Habel was placed with the 5th Reinforcements of the 59th Brigade and after training, embarked on HMAT A9 Shropshire on 25 September, 1916. On 21 November, he was in England and was taken on strength with the 15th Training Battalion at  the No. 3 Com. Depot, Wool Details, probably at Perham Downs. He stayed there for six months, before moving to France. On 17 May he was promoted to Corporal (Acting) at the 5th ADBD at Etaples. Here he seems to have worked at the Depot for a month, before being returned to England. On 18 June, 1916, he was back at No. 1 Com. Depot at Perham Downs, before a Medical Board and on was found to be unable to continue with the army. His Medical Report classes him as an Invalid, suffering from Rheumatism, Lumbago/sciatica and Tachycardia. He seems to have stayed at Perham Downs on light duties for the next two years, his record identifying himself as an accountant. On 16/1/ 1919, his discharge was recommended as permanently unfit and he returned to Australia on the Demsothenes on 2 March 1919 and was permanently discharged on 9 April that year.

On his return, Habel moved back to familiar country, settling at Hamilton from 1919-1937, operating as a mercer from 106 French St. When World War ll broke out, he rejoined the army and was stationed at the Victoria Barracks in St Kilda Rd., Melbourne. Oswald Emil Habel died on 28 November, 1953, aged 78.