242211 Private Joseph Franklin Castling
1/5th(T.F.)Battalion
York and Lancaster Regiment
25th March 1918
Born in Auckland, Durham in 1885. He was baptised on 19/04/1885.
His parents were Joseph Franklin Castling
(1840-15/12/1884) and Elizabeth Wilton
(1846-1923). They married on 03/10/1863.
Joseph had 3 brothers; John
(1869-1940),William(14/08/1880-1960) and
Joseph Francis(1871-04/03/1873).
He also had 7 sisters; Ellen(1864-1931),
Mary Ann(1865-1940),Jane(born on 13/01/1868),Martha(1874-1931),
Elizabeth Ann(1876-1966),
Frances Annie Franklin(14/04/1878-18/04/1898),
Georgina(29/10/1882-1973).
His father died before he was born and his mother remarried in 1888 to James Nelson (1843-1922) and
they had a daughter,
Mabel(12/08/1888-04/08/1983).
In the 1891 census, the family were recorded as living at Stain Drop Lane, West Auckland,Durham.
Stepfather James was employed as a traction engine driver.
​
In the 1901 census, Stepfather James was now employed as a farm manager,with Joseph working on the farm.
They were all living at Staindrop Field House.
In the 1911 census, the family were now living at 8 Toad Pool,West Auckland,Durham, James was out of work and Joseph was employed as a colliery labourer.
I can find no date of either his enlistment or disembarkation into France.
He was killed in action on 25/03/1918.
He was awarded the 1914-1918 British War and Allied Victory medals.
His mother was awarded a pension of 9/- a week from 08/10/1918.