Story
Charles Noble was born in Leeds in 1867. On 12th April 1890, he married a widow, Jane Hodgson (1868-1949), who had married her first husband, Edward Charles Money in 1885, but he was killed in a mining accident in 1889 aged 25, leaving her with two young children. Charles and Jane had two more children: Elizabeth Hannah Noble (1892-1977) and Harold Noble (1895-1979). The family of 6 lived at 17 Crescent, Micklefield.
On 30th April 1896, Charles left Jane in bed, and after descending into the pit down the lift, he made his way South East towards the Machine Face. There were six other men working in this District. Charles was known as the “Iron Man” and was a Machine Coal Getter, operating a cutting machine at the coal face. He was working with William Varey and George Benson, whilst William Naylor Whitaker, William Francis Dean, William Herring, and John Meakin were close by. These men were at the opposite side of the mine to where the explosion occurred, so they were unaffected by the blast, which took place nearly two miles away from their position, but they knew afterdamp would be an issue, and the blast had created many roof falls.
Two of the men, George Benson and William Naylor Whitaker moved to No.3 South Bord, which was well ventilated and hoped to be rescued. A pony also remained in this area and survived. The other five men took the Return, and followed the air current towards the No.2 South Bord. William Varey did not get far before afterdamp gas caught up with him, and he was the first to fall. He died 160 metres from where William Naylor Whitaker and George Benson were found. Of the other 4 men making their way to the exit, Charles was next to fall at No.2 South Bord, with John Meakin collapsing a few yards in front of him. William Herring and William Francis Dean were a little further on, approaching the No.1 South Bord, but they too were overcome by the gas.
Charles’ body was brought out of the pit on 2nd May, and was identified by his widow, Jane, who reported Charles had no sign of injury. He was buried on 4th May at 4pm. Jane re-married George Bradley (1873-1962) in 1898, at the age of 30, and her third marriage produced a further 9 children.
Charles’ eldest daughter, Elizabeth Hannah Noble married Wilfred Hudson in 1917, and Steve Hudson from Micklefield is their grandson. Charles’ Memorial Card is shown below:
30th April 1896. The Peckfield Colliery Disaster at Micklefield 