Joseph was educated at St Joseph’s College, Dumfries, where he was a scholar and prizeman; and at Glasgow University. He obtained in 1914 the triple diploma of the Royal Colleges of Physician and Surgeons, Edinburgh, and the Royal Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow. After qualifying he first went into practice with Mr A M G Walker at Hepburn-on-Tyne, surrendering this work in order to join the R.A.M.C. Joseph entered the war in Egypt on 25th September 1915, and had served in all the principle theatres of war before succumbing to influenza in East Africa. Joseph was the second son of Francis Duffy of Jesmond, Newcastle-on-Tyne.