Joseph enlisted on 14th February 1916. He was 18 years and 4 months old, was living in Lambeth, and was a news agent by trade. The following day he was transferred to Army Reserve, then was mobilised on 11th April 1917 and posted to serve with the Wharncliffe War Hospital, Sheffield. He remained there until 25th October 1917, when he was posted to serve in a military hospital, Scarborough. On 15th March 1918 he was posted to 8 Coy, Blackpool. He embarked at Southampton on the 30th for Rouen, then disembarking the next day he was posted to serve with the 7th Stationary Hospital on 1st April 1918. On 28th June 1919 he was transferred to serve with the 14th Stationary Hospital. He was admitted into the unit 'sick' on 12th August 1919, then after a short stay in the hospital was evacuated to England on the hospital ship 'Brighton'. He was discharged from the army on 27th October 1919.