Joseph Milner

Joseph was the son of Benjamin and Martha Milner (née Raison). His father Benjamin was born in Clowne, Derbyshire, in 1852, the son of John and Hannah (Ann) Milner. In 1871 the family was living in Clowne; Benjamin (19) was a coalminer and his father a farmer. His mother Martha was born in Walesby, Lincolnshire, in 1852, the daughter of Richard and Maria Raison. She was baptised in Walesby parish church on 22 February 1852. In 1871 Martha was living in Sheffield, a domestic servant in the household of Joseph Soute, a cutlery merchant. Benjamin and Martha, both 21 and living in Clowne and Gainsborough respectively, were married at Gainsborough All Saints on 4 November 1873. They had ten children, two of whom died before 1911. Nine children were born in Clowne, Derbyshire, and the youngest, Thomas, in Creswell; all the births were registered in Worksop: Benjamin birth registered 1876 (J/F/M), bap. Clowne 26 March 1876 d. 1877 (A/M/J Worksop), Elizabeth b. 26 March 1878 bap. Clowne 10 April 1878, Martha b. 31 May 1880 bap. Clowne 30 October 1881, Richard b. 11 July 1882 bap. Hope parish church Derbyshire 3 September 1882, George b. 1884 (O/N/D), Robert b. 1886 (O/N/D) bap. Hope 7 November 1886, Annie (Ann) b. 1889 (A/M/J) bap. Hope 5 June 1889 d. 1903 (A/M/J Worksop), Joseph b. 11 May 1890, William b. 1891 (J/A/S) bap. Hope 26 July 1891 and Thomas b. 1893 (O/N/D). In 1881 Benjamin (29), a coal miner, and Martha (29) were living on High Street, Clowne, with their two children, Elizabeth (3) and Martha (under 1 year); their first child, Benjamin, had died four years previously. Also in the household were Martha's parents, Richard Raison a farm labourer, and Maria, and Benjamin's nephew, John Pycroft (16 b. Blidworth) a coal labourer. By 1891 Benjamin was a farmer and living at The Cross, Clowne, with his wife and their seven children: Elizabeth, Martha, Richard (8), George (6), Robert (4), Ann (1) and Joseph (under one year). Still living with the family were Martha's mother, Maria Raison (82), now widowed, and John Pycroft. Also in the household was a boarder, John Saddington (17 b. Sheffield), a farm servant. The family had moved to Hazlemere Farm, Creswell, Derbyshire, by 1901. Benjamin and Martha's nine surviving children were all living at home: Elizabeth, Martha, Richard who was probably working with his father on the farm, George, Robert, Annie, Joseph, William (9) and Thomas (7). The youngest daughter, Annie, died two years later in April 1903 (A/M/J Worksop) age 13 and was buried in Creswell-in-Elmet churchyard on 16 April. Benjamin and Martha were still living at Hazlemere Farm in 1911 with their son Thomas (17) who was working on the farm. Also in the household was George Healy (18) a farm servant. Benjamin's son, William, may also have been working on the farm but living with his married sister, Martha Franks. Joseph enlisted in the Royal Marine Light Infantry on 7 January 1910. In 1911 he was in barracks at Alverstoke, Gosport, Hampshire, but was discharged by purchase in August the same year. He married Florence A Dean (b. 17 October 1887) in 1912 (A/M/J Southwell) and they had a son, Frederick (b. 6 October 1912). They were living on Brickyard Lane, Farnsfield, Nottinghamshire, when he enlisted on the outbreak of war. Florence did not remarry and in 1939 she was living in Farnsfield with Wilfred H Dean (b. 19 September 1882, unmarried). She died in 1966 (J/A/S Southwell). Their son Frederick married Rosa Kirk (b. 7 March 1911) in 1937 (J/A/S Southwell) and in 1939 they were also living in Farnsfield; Frederick was a butcher. Frederick died in 1985 (O/N/D Haywards Heath Sussex). The CWGC records for Joseph's brothers Thomas (1917) and William (1918) give their parents' address as Wood Villa, Elmton Road, Creswell, and this was the address also given on Thomas and William's probate records. Joseph's mother Martha died on 31 December 1924. The probate record gave her address as 64 High Street, Clowne; administration was awarded to her married daughter Elizabeth Bennett. His father Benjamin, also of 64 High Street, Clowne, died a week later on 7 January 1925; he was buried in Creswell-in-Elmet churchyard on 10 January. Probate was awarded to Elizabeth Bennett and Arthur Jackson and George Henry Richardson farmers. Of Joseph's seven surviving siblings: Elizabeth of Hazlemere Farm married Robert Bennett (b. 5 April 1874), a miner, at Creswell parish church on 10 October 1910. In 1911 they were living on Elmton Road, Creswell, with his widowed mother, Emma, brother Joshua (35), a fruiterer, and sister Mary (32) assistant fruiterer. They were still living at the same address in 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled; the premises incorporated a greengrocery and confectionery shop. In the home on the night of the census wiere Elizabeth, Robert, a retired coal hewer, and Margaret Bennett (b. 28 April 1911) a shop attendant. Elizabeth died in 1951 (O/N/D Chesterfield). Martha married Ambrose Franks (b. 14 April 1876), a widower, at Creswell with Elmet church on 10 December 1907. In 1911 Ambrose (34), a farm labourer, and Martha were living at Elmton Oaks with their two children Thomas Benjamin (2) and Martha Ann (6m) and Ambrose's daughters Gertrude (12) and Edith (10). Also in the household was Martha's brother William (19) who was probably working on their father's farm. In 1939 Martha and Ambrose, a general farm labourer, were living at Markland View, Crewswell Road, Clowne. Martha died on 12 December 1946, her husband survived her. The probate record gives her address as Markland View; Robert Franks was award probate. Richard married Sarah Hadfield (b. 19 April 1884) in Clowne on 26 December 1908 (O/N/D Worksop). The registration of their marriage gives his occupation as horse keeper. In 1911 they were living in Elmet with their son, Richard Hadfield (b. 1 October 1910). Richard's occupation was given as 'farmer’s son working on a farm' suggesting that he was still working with his father. In 1939 Richard, a general labourer, and Sarah were living at Holmefield Mount, Creswell Road, Clowne, with their son Robert (b. 6 March 1917) a collier underground and surface fitter. Richard died in 1951 (A/M/J Chesterfield) and was buried in Christ Church churchyard, Chesterfield, on 15 June. George has not yet been traced on the 1911 Census, but he probably married Rosa Bartle (b. 27 January 1876) in 1916 at Elmton St Peter (J/A/S Worksop). In 1939 they were living at Silverfields Farm, Fishpool, Ravenshead, Nottinghamshire, with their son George H Milner (b. 26 October 1916) a general farm worker who presumably was working for his father. Also in the household was Doris Handley later Milner (b. 21 September 1916). George died on 25 December 1962; he was still living at Silverfields Farm. Administration of his will was awarded to his son, George Herbert Milner, a farmer. Robert has not yet been traced on the 1911 Census but it seems likely that he emigrated to Australia in 1925, sailing on the SS Narkunda (P&O) departing London 23 October to Sydney. He married in Australia and died on 12 June 1936 at Culcairn, Greater Hume Shire, New South Wales; he was buried in Culcairn General Cemetery. William was living with his married sister, Martha Franks, in Creswell in 1911; he was working on a farm, probably for his father. He served in the Royal Field Artillery and died of wounds on 15 May 1918 at Huddersfield War Hospital. He was buried on 20 May 1918 in Creswell-with-Elmet churchyard. The probate record gives his address as Wood Villa, Elmton Road, Creswell, his parents' home. (See 'Extra information') Thomas later worked for the Duke of Portland on the Welbeck estate, Nottinghamshire. He enlisted in the Sherwood Foresters and was killed in action on 11 March 1917. He is commemorated on the war memorial in Welbeck chapel. The probate record gives his address as Wood Villa, Elmton Road, Creswell, his parents' home. (See record on this ROH.)