Joseph Reckless

He was the son of Robert and Emily Reckless of Grove Cottage, Clifton. Robert and Emily had five children of whom four were still living at the time of the 1911 Census: John Robert, Joseph, Cecil and Constance (b. 1895). John was born in Carrington but the three younger children were born in Clifton. In 1891 Robert (25), an agricultural labourer, and Emily (23) were living in Clifton village with their son, John Robert, who was a year old. By 1901 Robert was still living in Clifton village but was a butcher (on own account) although he was also sexton and parish clerk at Clifton St Mary's. He and Emily had four children; John (11), Joseph (9), Cecil (7) and Constance (5). Joseph's parents were still in Clifton village in 1911 but his father was now only working as sexton and parish clerk at Clifton St Mary's church. Two of their children, John (Levers draughtsman) and Constance, were still living at home. Cecil (17) had left home and was a farm labourer living in Clifton village in the family home of his uncle, Joseph Reckless, a dairyman on his own account. Joseph was a gardener working at Oxton Hall, Oxton, Nottinghamshire, and living in the household of a fellow servant and gardener, Amos Lem (25, b. Suffolk), and with another servant, a hall boy, David Dingley (15, b. Gateshead, Durham). Joseph's brother, Able Seaman Cecil Reckless, RNVR (Anson Btn), died on 11 June 1916 of wounds received at Gallipoli the previous year and was buried in Clifton (St Mary) churchyard. Emily died on 12 April 1920 aged 52. Robert was clerk and sexton of St Mary's church from 1899-1939 and died on 18 May 1939 aged 73. Joseph's brother, John Robert, served in the Leicestershire Regiment (49807 Private) and survived the war. He married Ellen Wright in 1917 and died on 16 November 1960. Constance Reckless married Harold Bilbie in 1920 and died in 1966 aged 70.