Joseph applied to join the police service on 7th October 1914. He was a miner by trade at Hobson Colliery, Co Durham, where he was living at the time. He was appointed to Gateshead Borough Police on 20th October 1914, and sworn in on the 29th January 1915. On 3rd May 1915 he enlisted into the R.A.M.C., 2nd Northumbrian Divisional Field Ambulance, Territorial Force. He entered the war in France on 20th August 1915. On 15th March 1919 he discharged to army reserve, being surplus to military requirements having suffered impairment since his entry into service. He made a claim for a pension on the grounds he was suffering from malaria and debility. On 26th February 1919 he was re-appointed to police service. He was medically retired on pension on 7th June 1942. He was the husband of Ann W Ledger - married on 24th July 1915. [Information researched and kindly provided by John Grainger]