COTON, Joseph Henry

Born and registered in York in the second quarter of 1883 Joseph Henry is the son of Arthur and Mary Coton.

The 1891 census shows Joseph to be 7 years old and living with his parents and two sisters at Hewarth Green in the parish of St. Cuthberts, York, where he was born. The head of the house is given as Joseph Mann who with his wife Elizabeth are Joseph Henry’s maternal grand-parents.

The1901 census has Joseph living at 27, Eastern Villa, York with his parents and sisters. Also living with them is Elizabeth Mann his grandmother ( now widowed) and Ellen Cuthbertson a domestic servant. Joseph at 17 years old is working as a book manufacturer.

In the third quarter of 1906 Joseph married Caroline Halliday in Halifax.

The 1911 census shows Joseph as head of the household.He is living at 33, Hewarth Green in York and working as a bootmaker (dealer ). This entry quite clearly says boot maker.(In 1901 it was written as book manufacturer). Also in the house is his wife Caroline,daughters Mary aged 3,Winifred May 2, and son Joseph Richard aged 3 months, Mary Jane Cuthbertson aged 24 a servant is now living in Joseph’s household.

Joseph enlisted in York in the Royal Garrison Artillery and fought in the Western European theatre. He was killed in action on May 2nd 1918 inFrance aged 35.

On his death record his parents address was 9, Grosvevor Road Scarborough,his wife was living at 2, Stafford Place, Halifax. In his will Joseph gives his address as 33, Hewarth Green, York. Probate was in York on 7th of December and he left his effects to “Mary Ellen Coton ( wife of Arthur Coton) Annie Elizabeth Coton spinster and Alfred Wray bricklayer and tile manufacturer and farmer.

He is interred at Bienvilliers Military Cemetery ref XIII D.6 Joseph is also commemorated in Dean Road cemetery FB 103