Joseph Henry Grimbley

Joseph Henry was the son of Joseph and Frances (Fanny) Grimbley. His father was born in Stanley, Derbyshire, in 1863 (J/F/M Shardlow Derbyshire/Grimley-mother's maiden name Martin), the son of William and Alice Grimley (sic)and was baptised at Stanley parish church on 5 April 1863. His mother Frances (also Fanny) was born in Portsmouth, Hampshire. There are two probably birth registrations: Fanny Pollard b. 1861 (A/M/J Portsea Island) and a Regimental Birth Indices b. 1861 (Portsmouth 11th Foot). Her name is given variously as Frances or Fanny on other records. Joseph and Frances were married in 1882 (J/F/M Basford) and according to the information given on the 1911 Census when they had been married for 29 years they had had five children of whom four were still living. Four children were named on the census returns between 1891 and 1911 and a fifth child has been traced on civil records: George William Grimbley b. Strelley 1882 (J/A/S Basford) bap. 29 October 1882 Strelley (Nottingham) All Saints d. 1886 (O/N/D Basford) aged 4 years, Frances Alice b. Sherwood (Nottingham) 10 January 1885 (J/F/M Basford) bap. 19 March 1889 Mansfield St John the Evangelist, Elizabeth Adelaide b. Mansfield 13 October 1888 (O/N/D Mansfield) bap. 19 March 1889 Mansfield St John the Evangelist, Joseph Henry b. Mansfield 16 August 1898 (J/A/S Mansfield) and Margaret (Meg) b. Mansfield birth registered 1905 (J/F/M Mansfield). Joseph and Frances were living in Strelley, Nottingham, when their son George William was baptised at the village church in 1882 but were at West Hill, Mansfield, by 1889 when their two eldest daughters were baptised at Mansfield St John's. The family was living at 39 West Hill, Chesterfield Road, Mansfield, in 1891. Joseph (28) was a gardener (domestic) and he and Frances (29) had two daughters, [Frances] Alice (6) and Elizabeth (2). Their eldest child, George William, had died four years earlier in 1886. By 1901 the family had moved to 28 Chesterfield Road, Mansfield. Joseph was still working as a domestic gardener. He and Frances now had three children, Frances (16) a dress maker, Elizabeth (12) and Joseph (2). Their daughter Margaret was born four years later in 1905. Joseph and Frances were still living at 28 Chesterfield Road in 1911; only Joseph (12) and Margaret (6) were in the home on the night of the census. Frances, the eldest daughter, had married in 1908. Joseph was later employed as a caretaker at Parr's Bank in the Market Place, Mansfield, and the family lived on the premises. He and Frances were still living there when he died on 28 January 1927 at the age of 63. His wife Frances has not yet been traced after 1927. Of Joseph Henry's siblings: Frances Alice married George Harry Cox (b. 15 December 1885) in 1908 (J/A/S Mansfield). Her husband was a pork butcher and later employed her brother, Joseph Henry. In 1911 they were living at 45 Albert Road, Mansfield; Frances was assisting George in his business. They later had two children, John Harold (Harry) b. 1912 (later a farmer) and Lilia/Lilian Vera (Vera) b. 1914 (m. John James Smith). George enlisted on 20 November 1916 and was discharged from the Labour Corps (664716 Private) on 6 March 1919. Frances died on 10 November 1926 (O/N/D Mansfield) aged 41 and was buried in Mansfield Cemetery. George later remarried (Betsy). He died on 26 June 1953; his second wife Betsy and his two children survived him. Elizabeth Alice married John WH Holland in 1913 (J/A/S Mansfield). John served in the war (103718 Gunner RGA). It is probable that by 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled they were living at 85 Drummond Road, Skegness. The register lists John (b. 21 December 1887), a pork butcher, and his wife, Elizabeth A., who was born on 13 October 1888, the date given on Elizabeth Alice's baptismal record; her occupation was given as unpaid domestic duties. There is a record of the death of an Elizabeth A Holland in 1965 (J/F/M Grantham Lincs). Margaret has not been traced positively after 1926 when she was recorded attending her sister Frances' funeral. However, there is a record of a Margaret Grimbley, single, b. 14 January 1905 employed as a cook general in the household of Rev. Charles Ellison and his wife at the Vicarage, Church Lane, Garforth, Yorkshire. There is a record of the death of a Margaret Grimbley (b. 14 January 1905) in 1986 (O/N/D York).

He was a member of the choir of St John's church, Mansfield. He was a butcher, employed by GH Cox (pork butcher) of Albert Street, Mansfield; on a service record he was described as a pork butcher's manager.

Bank Chambers, Parr's Bank, Market Place, Mansfield.

Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Howe Battalion, Royal Naval Division (63rd Division). Joseph enlisted on 17 April 1917 and was in the draft for the BEF France on 5 November 1917. He joined Howe Battalion on 20 November 1917 and according to a newspaper report of his death was first in action on Christmas Day. Joseph was wounded on 27 December 1917 (multiple gun-shot wounds buttocks) and died at 2nd Stationary Hospital, Abbevilles, on 6 January 1918. Joseph's parents had been given permission to visit him but he died before they arrived at the hospital (see 'extra information'). He was buried in Abbeville Communal Cemetery Extension (grave ref. III.G.6).

Variations in spelling of surname: Grimbly, Grimley CWGC headstone, personal inscription: 'Rest after weariness peace after pain' Mansfield Chronicle Advertiser: 10 January 1918: 'Seaman Harry Grimbley, son of Joseph Grimbley, caretaker at Parrs Bank, Mansfield, has been badly wounded and his parents have been given permission to travel to see him, but he had died before they reached the hospital. A member of St John's Choir he had been employed at Cox's Butchers.' A letter from the matron was included in the report. Mansfield Reporter & Sutton Times, 8 February 1918, report and photograph: ‘Mansfield Sailor Killed. AB JH Grimbley. Our readers will hear with regret of the death of AB Joseph Henry Grimbley, 63rd RN Division Howe Battalion, only son of Mr and Mrs Joseph Grimbley, Parr’s Bank, Market-place, Mansfield. The deceased, who was only 19 years of age, was employed by Mr GH Cox, pork butcher, Albert-street, previous to joining the Colours on April 11th, 1917, and been in France for ten weeks. He went into action for the first time on Christmas-day and on January 2nd was reported seriously wounded. He was removed to No. 2 Stationary Hospital, where an operation was performed, and every thing that was possible was done for him. His parents received an intimation of the casualty, and were given permission to go over and see him if they desired. They went to see him, but deceased passed away before they arrived at the hospital. They buried him on Tuesday morning at 9.30. Mr and Mrs Grimbley received several kind letters, written on behalf of the matron, and under date January 6th, 1918. The sad news was conveyed to them in the following letter: ‘Dear Mrs Grimbley, I am so sorry to tell you that your dear son passed away last night at 1.30am. He was very free from pain, and quite conscious, but just grew weaker. All the day before he was thinking of you and sending his love. And so often had Sister opening his bag and arranging all your photographs for him to see for a few minutes at a time. He would not have them left out all the time in case they got dirty, he said. I cannot hope to comfort you just now, but in time, perhaps, you will be able to feel that it was the best thing for him for he was so young and if he had recovered it would have been to a most uncomfortable life, as well as being an invalid, for he was very grievously wounded. He will be buried here in Abbeville in our own little cemetery and will lie with many ore of your brave men who have given their lives for England. A little cross marks each grave, and the funeral is with full military honours. His effects have been handed in to the Authorities, and will be forwarded to the next of kin, in due time. It will be some help to you to feel that these last days of his life were spent in comfort, and that in every way he was carefully looked after and nursed, and he was such a dear boy. So kind and cheerful, polite and thoughtful, that he endeared himself in those few days to everyone. With the very sincerest sympathy in your loss and sorrow, yours truly AA for the Matron.’ [second letter] ‘Dear Mrs Grimbley, I just want to write a line of sympathy to you. I wanted to say so much to you when you came up to the hospital, but I hardly had the chance. I am so sorry about your boy, and the loss to you must be very great indeed: he was so patient and good. Even when, I am sure, he had lots of pain he was so pleased to have your photograph, and looked at it many times on Saturday night before he died. I am sure you will be pleased to know that he received Holy Communion a day or two before. We had a little service in the ward, and several patients joined in the service. Let it comfort you to know that he died a real soldier’s death, having done his duty nobly and well until the last. My comfort and best wishes are yours. Yours very sincerely, M Ashworth (Sister)’’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Mansfield Reporter, ‘Deaths’, 8 February 1918. ‘Grimbley. Died January 6th, 1918, from wounds at Hospital in France. AB Joseph Henry Grimbley the dearly beloved and only son of Joseph and Fanny Grimbley, Parr’s Bank, Mansfield. Age 19 years. ‘reunion with those he loved.’ Notice below: ‘Mrs and Mrs Grimbley and family wish to thank all friends for their kind expressions of sympathy.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Mansfield Reporter, ‘Deaths’, 19 November 1926: ‘On the 10th inst., Frances Alice Cox, Litchfield Lane, Mansfield, aged 41.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Mansfield Reporter, 19 November 1926: ‘Death of Mrs GH Cox. The Funeral. The funeral of Mrs GH Cox, of Litchfield Lane, which occurred on the 11th (sic) inst., in a nursing home, took place on Monday afternoon at Mansfield cemetery in the presence of a large gathering of relatives and friends. The chief mourners were the widower, Mr and Mrs Grimley (sic), Mrs Holland (Elizabeth Adelaide] (sister), Meg [Margaret].,(sister) … Floral tributes were sent by: Harry, Vera and Harold, Mother, Father, sisters and Jack [John Holland] … The deceased lady was 41 years of age.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Mansfield Reporter, ‘Deaths’, 4 February 1927: ‘On the 28th ult., Jos. Grimley (sic), Market Place, Mansfield, aged 63.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Mansfield Reporter, ‘Acknowledgements’, 4 February 1927: ‘ Mrs Grimley (sic) and family, of Bank Chambers, Mansfield, desire to thank all relatives and kind friends for their beautiful tributes and kind messages of sympathy in their sad bereavement’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)