Mr John Thomas Noon was born in Wigan, Lancashire, England in late 1869,1 possibly on 8 December 1869.
He was the son of Patrick Noon (b. 1847), a plasterer of Irish ancestry, and Mary Hall (b. 1850), natives of Liverpool and Wigan respectively who were married in Wigan in 1868.
John's known siblings were: Anne (b. 1868), Margaret (b. 1871) and Mary Jane (b. 1878) and he grew up in a Roman Catholic household.
John and his family appear on the 1871 census as residents of Bradford, Yorkshire but by 1881 the family were living at 64 Court, Raymond Street, Liverpool.
Whilst a resident of Epsom Street, Liverpool, he was married to Julia Fleming (b. 18 October 1869 in Liverpool) on 10 December 1899 in St Anthony's Church in that city. Julia was the daughter of Irish parents from Co Mayo, John and Mary Fleming, the latter née Swift.
The 1901 census shows the couple residing at 4 Kew Street, Liverpool and John was then described as a marine fireman. Their only child, a son named John Patrick2, was born the following year on 11 October 1902.
Records indicate that Noon had worked for several years aboard Majestic and had also seen service aboard Cedric, Montrose and Teutonic, all sailing out of Liverpool.
Although it was believed John was a widower by 1911, this was not in fact the case; in 1907 his wife Julia had began to admit herself to the Liverpool Board of Guardians Workhouse, with four admissions over that year before she was placed in Rainhill County Asylum in St Helens, where she appeared on the 1911 census, described as a “lunatic”. Their young son John was taken in by his late wife's married sister and her family, Mrs Thomas (Mary Ann) Fox of 24 Nursery Street, Liverpool where he appeared on the same census.
When he signed on for the maiden voyage of the Titanic, Noon gave his local address as the Sailor’s Home in Southampton. Only weeks previously his son had been admitted to the Liverpool Board of Guardians Workhouse.
John Noon died in the disaster and his body, if recovered, was never identified.
His widow Julia died in 1916, apparently still an inmate at the county asylum.
Their son John would receive 2s, 6d per week from the Titanic Relief Fund as a class G dependent. As a teenager he followed his father to sea, first as a scullion and then a trimmer and ultimately as a seaman. In 1927 he married Mary Emma Lavin (1899-1997), with whom he had four children, the family making their home in Salford.
John Noon was lost at sea, aged 40, on 31 December 1942 in the sinking of the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Achates.
Comment and discuss
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Hi, Has anyone got any info on John Noon, fireman on the titanic. He lived in Southampton at the time of the sailing, but he wasn't born there. Anything at all would be much appreciated! Many thanks Jo
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Jo, Here is what I have on Mr. Noon - not much but a little: Noon, John. Lodged at the Sailors Home, Oxford Street, Southampton. Occupation - Fireman. 35 years old. (Born in Wigan). (From: Mansion House Titanic Relief Fund Booklet, March 1913) Number 201. Noon, John, child. Class G dependent -a child, class G dependent, would have received two shillings and sixpence per week).
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Brian, Many thanks for your post. Hoping you can answer my next question R.E (Mansion House Titanic Relief Fund Booklet, March 1913) Does that mean John and his deceased wife had a child? Hope you can clarify this but again many thanks for the info you gave...it all helps.
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Jo, Yes John Noon was the surviving child. Someone, possibly a relative, was looking after him and the claim was made on his behalf. It was awarded and he continued to receive it until his 16th birthday at which time the Fund would have helped him to find employment or helped with an apprenticeship. Regards - Brian
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Hi Brian, Thankyou for your for taking the time to share your information with me, it really is appreciated. Again many thanks-Jo
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Hi, I'm trying to find information on John Noon who worked as a Fireman/Stoker on the RMS Titanic, I think he may have been my great great uncle. Any information anybody has would be a great help. Also, I found out he was widowed, and a John Noon received funding as of March 1913, would this have been the son of John Noon and his late wife? Thanks, Olivia.
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Hi I have been researching John Noon as part of my recent lectures on 'Titanic The Wigan story'. After a few months of research I think I have found John Noon's son also called John Noon. Johns only son John Patrick Noon was born in Liverpool on 11th Oct 1902 Johns wife Julia died sometime before the 1911 census. John went to live with his wife's sister Mary Anne Fox at 24 Nursery street Liverpool. His father then went to Southampton to find work. His last listed residence was The Lost Sailors Home before he joined Titanic. On board Titanic John was on Watch 3 working 8am - 12md and 8pm -12 mn so was in the boiler room at the time of the collision. young john was briefly admitted to the local workhouse for 2-3 weeks while john was away as times were hard in Liverpool but was collected by an older cousin - presumably after Titanic went down. He was classed as a class G dependant and received 2s 6d per week. John was aged 10 years at the time of the sinking and most books state little...
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