Joseph Cyril Wells
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Joseph Cyril, known as Cyril, was the son of Joseph Matthew and Sarah Wells (née Orton). His father Joseph was born in Kirkby in Ashfield in 1864 and his mother Sarah Orton in Sutton in Ashfield in 1867. They were married at Sutton in Ashfield St Mary Magdalene in 1885 and had nine children including Charles Henry (Orton) who was born before their marriage and used surnames Orton and Wells. Two children died in infancy including Joseph, born 1887, who died the same year. Their surviving children were: Charles Henry b. 1884, Mary Ann b. 1885, Eliza b. 1888, John Wiliam b. 1891 (reg. 1892), Joseph Cyril b. 16 August 1895 bap. St Mary Magdalene 12 December 1895, Thomas Arthur b. 1897 and Lily b. 1899 who were all born in Sutton in Ashfield. Joseph and Sarah were living in St Modwena Square, Sutton in Ashfield, when their daughter Eliza was baptised in 1889 but had moved to Wood Street by 1891. In the home on the night of the census were Joseph, a colliery safety lamp keeper, Sarah and their children Charles (7), Mary (5) and Eliza (2). A second son, Joseph, had died in 1887. The family was still living on Wood Street in 1901: Joseph, Sarah, Charles, who like his father was a colliery safety lamp cleaner, Mary a cotton worker (hosiery factory), Eliza, John (10), Cyril (7), Thomas (4) and Lily (2). Ten years later in 1911 Joseph and Sarah were at 44 Edward Street, East Kirkby. Only six of their seven surviving children were still at home: Charles a safety lamp examiner, John an engine cleaner (colliery), Cyril a safety lamp cleaner Thomas and Lily. The eldest daughter, Mary Ann, had married Arthur Williams, a coal miner hewer, in 1907 and they and their two daughters, Doris and Sarah, were also living on Edward Street. Sarah Wells died aged 46 in August 1911. Joseph died in May 1938 aged 74; he was still living at 44 Edward Street. His three surviving sons, Charles Orton a colliery lampman, John a colliery motor driver and Thomas, a colliery lampman, were awarded Probate of their father's Will. Cyril's brother, Thomas Arthur also served in the war. He was mobilised on 23 April 1918 aged 21 years 2 months; he lived with his father at 44 Edward Street. Thomas was posted on 13 May to the 3rd Bn Sherwood Foresters (117420) and embarked at Folkestone in August for Italy, arriving in theatre on 28 August. He was transferred from the 3rd Bn to the 11th Bn Sherwood Foresters then to the Warwickshire Regiment and finally the 22nd Bn Manchester Regiment on 14 February 1919. He embarked HMT Teutonic at Alexandria on 21 March 1920 for the UK for demobilization. He was transferred on demobilization to Class 'Z' Army Reserve on 1 April and discharged on 30 April 1920 to Edward Street, East Kirkby.
1/8th Bn Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment). Served as Cyril Wells. He attested in Newark, Nottinghamshire, on 12 August 1914 on a Territorial Force engagement (4 years). He was 18 years and 345 days of age and employed by Batherley Colliery Co., East Kirkby, as a safety lamp cleaner. He named his father and brother Charles as his next of kin. Cyril had been medically examined and passed as fit for duty the previous day at Sutton in Ashfield. Cyril transferred to embodied service on 12 August 1915 and after basic training (202 days) was posted to the BEF France and served in France from 2 March 1915 until 13 April 1915. Cyril suffered a gun shot wound to his right leg, resulting in a compound fracture, on 1 April 1915 and was treated at No 2 General Hospital, France. The wound subsequently formed an abscess and he was evacuated to England (HS Asturias) the same month for further treatment in the UK. He served at home from 14 April 1915, then the following year on 13 April 1916 a Medical Board at Seafield Hospital, Blackpool, found Cyril physically unfit for further war service (pulmonary phthisis [TB]) and recommended his discharge. The Board's recommendation and a discharge date of 27 April 1916 was approved. Cause of discharge: (1) injury to left rib (2) phthisis pulmonalis. Origins: 1915, Nieppe whilst cycling. Wound [April 1916] is healed, but [phthisis pulmonalis] is running the usual hectic temperature with cough, expectoration, night sweats and wasting. Both (1) and (2) result of active service. (1) rib injury - prevents totally for 6 months then ¼ for six months (2) phthisis - totally permanently. Cyril was awarded a pension of 25 shillings a week, six months conditional, from 28 April 1916, an award which would have been reassessed six months later. The documents in Cyril's service record originally gave his discharge date as 27 April 1916, a date which had to be amended to 25 April, the date on which Cyril died at home. He was buried in the family grave in Sutton in Ashfield Cemetery (A. E. 531).
Inscription on family gravestone, Sutton in Ashfield cemetery: 'In loving memory of Sarah, the beloved wife of Joseph Matthew Wells, who died Aug. 29th 1911, aged 46 years. We cannot Lord Thy purpose se, But all is well that is done by Thee. Also of the above Joseph Matthew Wells who died May 11th 1938 aged 74 years. Re-united. Also their beloved son, Pte Joseph Cyril Wells, 2117 8th Batt. Sherwood Foresters who died April 25th 1916, aged 20 years. Doris Emma Williams. Grand-daughter of the above [daughter of Mary Ann & Arthur Williams] who died April 9th 1912, aged 4 years and 10 months. Jesus called a little child unto him. Also John William Wells (-) 1951 aged (-). At Rest' WW1 Pension Ledgers Index Cards: father Joseph Matthew Wells, residence East Kirkby.
