Joseph enlisted on 13th June 1900. He was 18 years and 6 months old, and he was a Barman by trade. He saw previous active service in South Arica from 25th August 1900 to 19th November 1902. Having completed his first period of engagement he was transferred to army reserve but re-enlisted the same day on 13th June 1912. He entered the war in France on 16th August 1914 with the 4th Field Ambulance. His name appears on a list of R.A.M.C. personnel who were taken captive up to & including 31st December 1914. His address was given as 61 Cromwell Road, Croydon - (kindly provided by Steve Mattocks). In the early hours of 26th August, the 4th Field Ambulance were ordered to go to Landrecies to treat and evacuate the wounded. A couple of hours after entering the town the Germans arrived, and Joseph became one of 219 of the rank and file of the R.A.M.C. to be held captive there. He was taken to Germany entering Sennelager POW camp on 7th September 1914. He was repatriated back to England on 30th June 1915, then served with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force from 21st July 1915 to 14th October 1916. He had been serving with No 8 Coy in York when he was discharged on 12th June 1917 due to termination of his second engagement. l