Joseph Charles

Joseph was the son of Elijah and Maria Charles (née Hogg). Elijah was born in Normanton on Soar, Leicestershire, in 1850, the son of Thomas and Mary Charles. His mother Maria Hogg was born in West Leake, Leicestershire, in about 1850. They were married at Nottingham St Mary on 21 December 1868 and had 13 children four of whom died in infancy or childhood. Their nine surviving children were: Elisha b. 1869 and Ruth b. 1871 both born in Codnor Derbyshire; William b. 1876 Blidworth; Annie Maria b. 1878, Herbert Samuel b. 1884 and Joseph b. 1886 who were born in Annesley: Esther b. 1888 and Frank b. 1890 both born in Mansfield and Mary Elizabeth b. East Kirkby 1893. Two children who died in infancy were Thomas Wesley b. 1874 d. 1875 and Ernest b. 1882 d. 1882. In 1881 Elijah, described on the census as a Wesleyan preacher and colliery engine driver, and his wife were living in New Annesley with their four children Elisha, Ruth, William and Ann. However, the family had moved to Prospect Street, Kirkby in Ashfield, by 1891: Elijah a stoker (colliery), Maria, Elisha and William who were both coal miners, Annie, Herbert, Joseph, Esther and Frank. The eldest daughter, Ruth, had married James Slater at Basford Register Office in 1891 and they and their two children were also living in Kirkby in Ashfield. Elijah, now employed as a stationary engine driver by the Urban District Council, and his wife were living at 25 Ellis Street, Kirkby in Ashfield, in 1901. Only five of their children were in the home on the night of the census; Herbert a coal loader, Joseph a colliery pony driver, and Esther, Frank and Mary who were still at school. As well as Ruth, Elisha, William and Anna Maria were now married. Elisha had married Lucy Gent (née Pepper), a widow, in 1893. Lucy's husband, German Gent, had died in 1890 leaving her with three children. Elisha, his wife, their two children and his stepchildren were living in Blackwell, Derbyshire. William married Eliza Ann Hardy in 1897 and they were living in Skegby with their two children. Annie Maria had married John Turner at Stavely parish church, Derbyshire, in January 1899 and although they have not yet been traced on the 1901 census they were living in Staveley in 1911 with their two children, another child having died in infancy. Elijah and Maria had moved to Waterworks House, Kirkby in Ashfield, by the end of 1901 and were still living there ten years later in 1911. Only Joseph, a colliery hewer, and Mary were still living with their parents but there was also a boarder in the household, Charles Kesterton, a collier hewer, whom Mary married in 1914. Three more siblings were now married. Herbert Samuel, a stationary engine man (waterworks), his wife Clara Elizabeth (née Hart, m. 1903) and their two children were living in East Kirkby. Esther had married John Channer, a miner, in 1905 and they and their three children were living at Fishpool, Blidworth. Frank, who married Lucy Butler at Kirkby St Thomas in January 1910 and had a daughter Lavinia (b. Rotherham, December 1910), was living in Nuncargate. Frank and his family were living at 41 Sherwood Rise by 1914 and at 34 New Street in 1915. Maria died in 1915 and Elijah in January 1918 (buried Kingsway Old Cemetery); the probate record gave his address as The Waterworks, East Kirkby. Joseph married Harriet Varnam (b. 1887) in the last quarter of 1911; their only child, Joseph Clement, was born in July 1912. Harriet married secondly Levi Ellis in 1928 and in 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled they were living in Nuncargate, East Kirkby, with her son Joseph Clement ('incapacitated, unemployed') who died in 1944. Joseph's younger brother Frank (b. 1890) also served in the war. Frank, a coal miner, attested on a Short Service Engagement ('Duration of War') on 29 August 1914 at the age of 25. He was posted to the Leicestershire Regiment (11043 Private) and joined at Aldershot on 4 September 1914 but was discharged after serving for just 18 days, 'considered unfit for service, KR 392 (iii) c', cause 'phthisis' (tuberculosis). Frank then attested on 26 November 1914 in the Sherwood Foresters (20152 Private) but was discharged on 21 January the following year 'in consequence of his not likely to become an efficient soldier (KR para 392 (iii) c).' He had served for 57 days. Nevertheless, he again attested on 14 July 1915 and on this occasion was posted to the Royal Welsh Fusiliers (26346 Private). Frank served with the BEF France from 4 December 1915 but was discharged on 4 March 1916, 'no longer physically fit (phthisis).' He qualified for the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. Frank died in 1917 (A/M/J) aged 28. His widow, Lucy married secondly William H Cross (1918).