In July 1949, Cartwright was forced to retire from the colliery because of a persistent cough. Nurse Ellen Wilcock of Leigh Infirmary said that on 16 December 1949 his condition worsened and he died the next day. Dr. S. H. Jackson of the University of Manchester, the pathologist who conducted Cartwright's autopsy, said that in his opinion Cartwright's death was due to toxic absorption caused chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (emphysema) of the right lung. When questioned by C. L. Tyrer, the President of the Lancashire and Cheshire Miners' Federation, Dr. S. H. Jackson said he had found slight traces of pneumoconiosis in Cartwright, but that this had not accelerated his death. At Leigh Police Station, the district coroner, R. M. Barlow, said that he had heard the impartial evidence of the pathologist, and in his opinion he was quite satisfied that the pneumoconiosis had not caused death in any way, and so returned a verdict of death from natural causes. References External links 1890 births 1949 deaths England national rugby league team players English miners English rugby league players Great Britain national rugby league team players Lancashire rugby league team players Leigh Leopards captains Leigh Leopards players Rugby league hookers Rugby league players from Leigh, Greater Manchester