Joseph (Henry) Whiteley was born in Huddersfield in 1891. He came from a railway engineering family. His grandfather, also named Joseph. had moved from Yorkshire to Oswestry, to work as an engine driver. Joseph’s father, John, an engine fitter, and his mother, Sarah, were both born in Oswestry. They had married in 1888. They moved frequently, possibly because of his work. Joseph was their first child. A second child, John, was born in 1891 at Widnes. In the same year they were back at Oswestry living at 8 Gate Street. A third child, Bert (also a war casualty), was born at Oswestry in 1892. By 1901 they had moved to 26 Marple Street, Openshaw, Manchester and in 1911 were  living at 14 Burton Street, Gorton, Manchester. Joseph, and brother James worked in an iron foundry – Joseph was a boiler riveter, James was an iron turner. Their father was now a motor engine fitter – the third brother, John, was a pawnbroker’s assistant.

Joseph enlisted at Ardwick probably in 1915 (he was not awarded the 1915 Star). He was posted to 19 Bn Manchester Regiment – the 4th Manchester Pals. It is not known when he went over to France, again, probably in 1916 in time for the Somme Offensive when the battalion had its first action on the first day of the Somme. At this time they were involved in one of the few success stories of that day with the capture of Montauban. In April 1917 the battalion was again in action during the Arras Offensive in the Battle of the Scarpe. The battalion were in a section of line along the road between Mercatel and Boiry-Becquerelle, they would be in the second wave of the assault. Joseph was KIA on 9 April 1917, his body was not recovered and he is commemorated on the Arras Memorial.

Acknowledgements.

References and Sources

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