Joseph Pilkington

He was the son of John Pilkington and Mary Ann Pilkington (nee Poxon) who were married in Nottingham in 1876. According to the 1911 census they had thirteen children born alive, all of whom were still living at the time of the census. Thirteen children are named on the census between 1891 and 1911, eleven boys and two girls; Arthur, James, John, Albert, Francis (Frank), William, Edward, Evelyn, Frederick (Fred), Ethel A. (Annie), Joseph (Joe), Harry (Henry) and George. In 1891 John and Mary were living at 15 Redoubt Street, Radford; eight children were at home the night of the census; Arthur (14), James (11), Albert (9), Francis (7), William (5), Edward (4), Frederick (2) and Ethel A (1 month). Another son, John, who would have been about 13, was not recorded in the household. They were still at the same address ten years later in 1901 and ten of their children were in the house on the night of the census: John (22), James, Frank (Francis), William, Edward, Evelyn, Annie (Ethel Annie), Joseph (8), Harry (4) and George (2). John senior was working as a tobacco cutter and two of his older sons, James and Edward, were also in the tobacco industry. His son, John, was working on his own account as a 'stable cab' and it is likely that two of his brothers, Frank and William, worked for him as Frank was engaged in stable work while William was a stable lad. The younger children were either at school or pre-school age. Joseph's father, John, died in 1908 and by 1911 the family had split up. Still living at 15 Redoubt Street was one of the older boys, Frank, who was described on the census as the head of household. Frank was a labourer and now married to Alice; they had one child, May, aged one year. Also in the household were six of his siblings; William, Edward, Fred, Joe, Henry and Evelyn. The four older boys were all in work. Their widowed mother, Mary Ann Pilkington, had moved to Trent Lane, Burton Joyce, where she was described as a 'cab proprieteress'. Living with her were her daughter, Annie, a cigar maker, and her youngest son, George, who was still at school. The notice of Joseph's death in 1918 includes the information that he was the second son 'to fall' and that eight brothers were still serving. John and Mary had eleven sons and it is likely that their eldest son Arthur, who was born about 1878, had died before the war in 1912 (registered Oct/Nov/Dec) aged 34. Albert served in the Army Service Corps and died on 24 March 1918; he left a wife, Ellen, and three young children, Evelyn Eleanor, Albert Edward and George Henry. His widow later remarried (Albert Stretton Jackson, 1920). Another brother, Edward, who served in the Royal Garrison Artillery, died on 13 August 1920 as a result of shrapnel injuries received in France in November 1918. He left a wife and daughter and is commemorated on the John Player memorial although his name is not recorded on CWGC.

In 1911 Joseph was described as 'woodworking' for a manufacturing retail chemist (Boots).

He was attached to the No 10 Indian Mobile Vetinerary Section and was an acting corporal. He died of pneumonia and was buried in Nowshera Military Cemetery (grave ref. L.3) but he is also commemorated on the Delhi Memorial (India Gate). He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Soldiers effects register: Joseph's mother, Mary Ann Pilkington, together with Mrs Ellen Jackson [formerly Pilkington, sister-in-law, widow of Albert] and Mrs Ethel Pilkington, were his legatees. Probate (father): Pilkington John William of 15 Redoubt-street Old Radford Nottinghamshire tobacco cutter died 23 October 1908 Administration Nottingham 13 November to Mary Ann Pilkington widow. Effects £122 10s. Obituaries published 4th November 1918 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “PILKINGTON. – Died abroad on October 18th, from pneumonia, Cpl. Joseph (Joe), loving son of Mrs. and the late Mr. J. Pilkington, Radford, aged 25. Shattered hopes. The second son to fall. – From mother, sister Annie, and eight brothers still serving. “PILKINGTON. – Died abroad from pneumonia, Cpl. Joseph (Joe), loving brother of Mrs. Hudson, Radford. Always remembered. – Evelyn and Maurice. “PILKINGTON. – Died of pneumonia abroad October 18th, Joe, our dear brother. Though death divides, fond memories cling. – Brother Ted (in France), Ethel & Edna.” In memoriam published 18th October 1919 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “PILKINGTON. – Corpl. Joseph, died in India, October 18th, 1918. One year has passed, but not one day without thoughts of him who lies far away. – Loving mother and sister Nance. “PILKINGTON. – Corpl. Joseph, died India, October 18th, 1918. – Always remembered by sister Evelyn.” Above notices are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918 Delhi Memorial (India Gate): 'Of the 13,300 Commonwealth servicemen commemorated by name on the memorial, just over 1,000 lie in cemeteries to the west of the River Indus, where maintenance was not possible. The remainder died in fighting on or beyond the North West Frontier and during the Third Afghan War, and have no known grave. The Delhi Memorial also acts as a national memorial to all the 70,000 soldiers of undivided India who died during the years 1914-1921, the majority of whom are commemorated by name outside the confines of India. The memorial was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens. It was unveiled by Lord Irwin on 12 February 1931.' (Source: CWGC)