What does N.B.L.E. stand for?

[ED2005]

On a headstone of an ancestor was 'retired N.B.L.E.' (could have been N.B.L.A.) Anyone know what organisation the initials stand for?

[bervonian]

Purely a guess. North British Locomotive Engineer ? (unless some of you wise people know different !)

[hepburn]

Hello Ed,
              N B L A,national businesswomen's leadership.
               N B L E,  none battle loss ,equpment......
                  Don't think they are right,but they were in a dictionary.

[trellisick]

hello ed, do you know his occupation (was he a miner), or anything about him, as nbla is the national black lung association, kali.

[ED2005]

Hi Folks,

Thanks for all your suggestions so far. I just checked my source again and it is definitely N.B.L.E. as opposed to an A! A couple of more clues... this was a male who died aged 62 in 1923, probably in Thurso. So if he was retired by age 62, maybe it was something military or naval perhaps... or a job where he could retire early???

[Gadget]

Hi

I've just checked Granddad's 1930 dictionary and at that time N.B. was either North British (i.e Scotland) or New Brunswick. I think bervonian is probably near the mark.

Have you tried checking his occupation in the 1901 census. It might give you some idea of his early career.

Gadget

[ED2005]

That's a good idea and the next time I have a few credits on Scotlands People, I'll do just that! If anyone is able to look up the Census for me, the name is Daniel Brock, d 1923 in Thurso. He is on the 'fringes' of the family tree, so to speak - so perhaps the various Census information will help me see how he fits in to the bigger picture.

Thanks again everyone for all your help and suggestions!

[Gadget]

Daniel Brock, aged 35, single, was a boarder in the Dennistoun area of Glasgow in the 1901 census. He was born in Wick, Caithness.

His occupation was a Rail Engine maker Fitter.

644-3 120-3 page 7

So North British Locomotive Engineer would probably get my vote.


Gadget 

[ED2005]

Thanks for that Gadget! Question answered, mystery solved.