Name
Joseph Ray
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
25/08/1918
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
22045
Bedfordshire Regiment
4th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
BUCQUOY COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION
B. 12.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
St Mark’s Church Plaque, Colney Heath, We are not aware of any Roestock memorial
Pre War
Joseph was one of twelve children born to Samuel & Thirza Ray (nee Edmons). He was born in the hamlet of Roestock in the parish of St Peter’s, St Albans, Hertfordshire and lived in the cottage next door to Round House Farm, Roestock Lane, Roestock (1881), the cottage next door to Roe Hyde Farm, Roestock (1891) and the Cottage next door to the Chalk Drawers Arms PH, heading up Roestock Lane, Colney Heath (1901 & 1911). Joseph was baptised in St Mark’s Church Colney Heath on 26th June 1881 and his name first appears on a census that year, aged 3. He was living with his parents and his five older brothers and sisters, namely: John (18), Rebecca (13), Jane (11), Robert (8) and Emily (6).
The 1891 census indicates that only Emily (17) and Joseph (13) were still living with their parents. The census of 1901 shows that Joseph had left the family house and married to Rose Ada Ray to whom Joseph was married for eleven years. They set up home in the cottage next door to the Chalkdrawers Arms. The 1911 census entry would appear to indicate that Rose Ada was then known Ada, rather than Rose; and that they had a daughter, Gladys (9). The records also confirm that they had another child who had died sometime between 1901 and 1911.
Records confirm that Gladys attended Colney Heath School (pupil no 23) from 30th September 1904 until 2nd July 1915. He was working as a bricklayer’s labourer in 1901 and then as a general labourer, for Moss & Sons in 1911.
Wartime Service
Joseph enlisted in the Bedfordshire Regiment in St Albans and died of wounds (DOW) in Western Europe.
Acknowledgments
Anne Roberts
Graham Clark – World War One – The Fallen of London Colney, Grace Clark, Jonty Wild
