Noble enlisted into the British Army when World War I broke out, but was discharged as medically unfit in January 1915.

[2] He had a run of success later in the year, beating Bill Ladbury twice, before five straight defeats to Johnny Hughes, Digger Stanley, Joe Fox, Wilde,[2] and Tancy Lee.

[1][3] In 1917 he beat Sid Smith, Nat Brooks,[4] and Freddie Jacks, but lost to Mike Honeyman, Louis Ruddick (twice), and Joe Conn.[5] A good run in the latter half of 1918, including a win over Curley Walker despite being a stone lighter,[6] led to his meeting Symonds in November at the National Sporting Club, for the British bantamweight title vacated by Fox.

[3][7] In April 1919 Noble successfully challenged for Eugène Criqui's European title at the Holborn Stadium, stopping the defending champion in the 19th round.

[9] Only three days after the Criqui fight, Noble lost the British title, retiring in the tenth round against Walter Ross.