BORN – OswestryJoseph Arthur Powell was born in Oswestry in December 1880, being baptized on Christmas Day. He was the third son of Joseph and Ann Powell. His father was a bricklayer; they lived at ‘Pistyll’, Upper Brook Street, Oswestry. His siblings were William and John. In 1891 there were 2 more children: Mary, born in 1885; Tom, born in 1889. By 1901 they were living at 15 Oswald Place, Oswestry; Joseph followed his father’s occupation and also became a bricklayer. In 1908 Joseph married Margaret Ellen Griffiths, and they moved to Pant, living at 1 Greenwich Cottage and later at Mount View, Pant. They would have 2 children; Albert born in August 1910 and Phyllis in June 1916 (Phyllis died in Oct 1917, about 1 month after her father’s death).
He enlisted in December 1915, most probably under the Derby Scheme, and was subsequently mobilised in August 1916. He joined the Royal Garrison Artillery and after training, was posted to 145 Siege Battery. He went over to France on 14 August 1917 and was killed in action just under 3 weeks later during Third Ypres. He was most likely killed in the Langemarck area. As a heavy artillery man he would have been stationed in the rear area. During the Offensive the Germans, with the advantage of higher ground and better observation, targeted artillery batteries. Joseph was KIA on 2 September 1917 and is buried at Bluet Farm Cemetery in the rear area near to Ypres.
His unit, 145 Siege Battery, operated heavy guns – six and eight inch Howitzers. Each battery would be 6 guns. Howitzers fired high trajectory HE shells typically aimed at destroying or neutralising the enemy artillery, as well as putting destructive fire down on strong points, dumps, stores, roads and railways behind enemy lines. During Third Ypres they were particularly used against the many reinforced concrete pillboxes. There would normally be about 10 men directly involved in serving each gun, plus about another 10 men working on ammunition carrying and transportation to the gun position.
In January 1918 his personal effects were returned home. They included – a cigarette case, a broken watch on a chain, wallet holding defaced coins as souvenirs to value of 1/3d and, more poignantly, letters, photos and a birthday card. Joseph’s British War and Victory Medals were returned under Kings Regulations Para 992. His widow re-married to become Humphreys, she continued to live at Mount View in Pant. Joseph is also commemorated on the War Memorial at Llanymynech and at St Oswald’s Church, Oswestry.
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