Name
Joseph Wesley
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
27/08/1918
37
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
31568
Bedfordshire Regiment
4th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
A.I.F. BURIAL GROUND, FLERS
Plot XI, Row L, Grave 10.
France
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour
Pre War
Son of Joseph and Ruth (nee BRANDHAM/BRANDOM) WESLEY; husband of Elizabeth (nee COBB) WESLEY.
His parents married 1880 at Holy Cross, Slapton, Beds. Joseph died 26 September 1943 in Watford aged 88, and was buried 29 September in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; Ruth died 25 April 1952 in Watford aged 90, and was buried 28 April, also in Vicarage Road Cemetery.
Joseph was born November 1880 in Slapton, and attended Egginton Lower School, Beds, from 20 September 1886. He married 1907 in the Watford district; they had two children. He resided in Watford. Elizabeth never remarried; she died 16 August 1950 in Bushey, Herts, aged 66, and was buried 19 August in Vicarage Road Cemetery.
On the 1881 Census, aged 4 months he lived in Slapton, with his parents and no siblings. On the 1891 Census, a scholar aged 10, he lived in Leavesden, Herts, with his parents and four siblings. On the 1901 Census, a gardener aged 20, he lived in Watford, with his parents and four siblings. On the 1911 Census, a gardener aged 30, he still lived in Watford, with his wife and two children.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Watford; was entitled to the Victory and British War medals, and was killed in action.
Additional Information
Unfortunately, Joseph’s Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing.
There is a brief article about and a Death announcement for Joseph in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 19 October 1918; plus an In Memoriam in the issue dated 30 August 1919.
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
