William Noble, 1st Baron Kirkley

[citation needed] Noble entered the shipping business at the age of fifteen and became a partner in Cairns, Noble & Co, which operated the Cairn Line and was later taken over by Furness, Withy & Co Ltd, of which he became a director.

He was a member of the Tyne Improvement Commissioners and was shipping representative on the advisory sub-committee of the Ministry of Transport.

He was vice-president of the Newcastle and Gateshead Chamber of Commerce from 1915 until his death and was president of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers in 1919–1921 and 1929.

During the First World War he served on a number of government and local committees.

Their elder daughter, Sheila, married the surgeon Frederick Williamson.