His birth was registered in the March (checked) quarter 1882 at Rotherham, 9c 687 even though he gave his date of birth in the 1939 register as 1 July 1882, a son of John Asbery and Hannah Elizabeth formerly Vollans.
In the 1891 census of 38 Kimberworth Road, Masbrough, Rotherham, Joseph V. was living with his family, aged 9, and born at Kimberworth.
In the 1901 census of 36, Kimberworth Road, Joseph V. was living with his family, aged 19, a telegraph messenger (worker), and born at Rotherham.
Between 20 March 1900 and 16 May 1901 he was at Masbrough Passenger Station (9/-).
Between 16 May 1901 and 13 Aug 1901 he was employed at Kilnhurst Station (Midland Railway Company, so presumably West rather than Central) in the signal telegraph departments. His pay was £25 + 5. Kilnhurst is between Rotherham and Mexborough.
On Thursday 12 December 1901 there was a concert and presentation evening for the Masborough Midland Railway Ambulance Corps, in St George’s Hall (in Effingham Street), Rotherham, in spite of heavy snow. J.V. Asbery was presented with a first year certificate.
In 1903 at a Temperance Bazaar held over 2 days in April, at the Victoria Temperance Hall, Masbro’, J. V. Asbery assisted at the advertisement stall.
Between 1 February 1905 and 5 January 1907 he was at Masbrough Sorting Sidings (£60 pa), when he moved to the Passenger Department, Masbrough.
He married Harriet Middleton, on 24 April 1911, at Rotherham Parish Church. He was aged 29, a railway clerk, of 30 Kimberworth Road, the son of John Asbery (deceased), a grocer. Harriet was aged 23, a spinster of Doncaster Gate, the daughter of Charles Middleton, a builder. The witnesses were Charles Middleton, Clara Middleton and C. Middleton.
Family information suggested that Harriet was possibly a tailoress and the daughter of a land agent who lived in Clifton Park. They had no children.
In 1914 he is listed as an employee of the Midland Railway Company at Masbrough, Rotherham, a time keeping clerk on £100 pa.
In 1939 (register) he, Joseph V. Asbery was living at 240 Badsley Moor Lane, Rotherham CB, a railway clerk with a date of birth of 1 July 1882. He was with Harriet, with a date of birth of 14 November 1887.
He had red hair. Family information suggested that he lived at Bridgwater, Somerset.
He died 13 October 1960, at Tone Vale Hospital, Bishops Lydeard, Taunton, of 1a Coronary thrombosis and 1b arterio sclerosis. He was aged 78, of 9 Woodbury Road, Bridgwater and was a retired clerk of the Midland Railway Company. The informant was his brother-in-law, P.H. Beckett, of Studholme, Durleigh, Bridgwater. Percy Herbert Beckett married Lily Middleton in the June quarter 1914 in the Rotherham district.
Joseph was buried in the churchyard at Durleigh. He was buried 18 October 1960 aged 78. Harriet, his wife, was also buried at Durleigh, 20 April 1963, aged 75. The grave was towards the southwest corner of the churchyard, by the edge overlooking the road and the inscription was almost illegible. What could be read was "In loving memory of, my beloved husband, Joseph Vollans Asbery, who died Oct 13th 1960 aged 78 years, and of Harriet Asbury, his beloved wife, who died April 1_ th 1963 aged __ years, To live in the ……. Loved……."
Harriet Asbery died 17 April 1963 (registered Bridgwater in the June quarter 1963 aged 75). Probate of her will was granted at Bristol 1 July 1963 to Charles Edwin Dunn, salesman. Her effects were £964.17s.8d and she was of 9 Woodbury Road, Bridgwater.
Posted October 2016