William Browell Charlton
William Browell Charlton (1855 – 30 January 1932) was a British trade union leader. Charlton was born at Burnt House, just west of Chester-le-Street, in County Durham. He began work coupling at the flats at Edmondsley Colliery when he was eight years old, and then later became a boiler fireman at Littleburn Colliery. He qualified as a winding engineman in 1874, and worked in this role in a variety of mines around the county. On March 9, 1875, at 20 years of age and with his occupation listed as brakesman, he married (after banns) Mary Green age 19 years, spinster, daughter of John Green, overman at Littleburn Colliery in the parish church at Brancepeth, in County Durham. Both parties residing at Littleburn Colliery. On November 12, 1882, his wife Mary gave birth to Robert Charlton at 143 Front Street, North Brancepeth Colliery, Brandon, Brandon & Byshottles, UD, their only son to survive until adulthood. W.B. Charlton's occupation at the time is listed as brakesman. After the marriage, he was employed at Seaham Colliery and later Hetton, when he was elected as the representative of the township on Durham County Council. After periods at Usworth and Hamsteels, he returned to Littleburn