Soldier Record
Joseph Townsend
Contributed by: Raymond, on 2008-11-06
| Rank | |
|---|---|
| First Name | Joseph |
| Surname | Townsend |
| Year of Birth | 1893 |
| Year of Death | Unknown |
| Regiment | North Staffordshire Regiment |
| Place of Wartime Residence | Upper Norwood, Croydon, Greater London |
Joseph's Story
Jo enlisted in the Royal West Kent Regiment No G/2943 on 13 September 1914. Aged 21 years 9 months, a painter, 5 feet 7 3/4 inches tall, weight 154 lbs. Hazel eyes, light brown hair
Joseph was the only member of my wife's Townsend family to be killed in WW1
Posted to 2nd Battalion 24 Oct 1914, 3rd Battalion 24 Sep 1915. Promoted Corporal 18 Oct 1915, promoted Sergeant 10 Jul 1916.
Posted to Depot 7 Feb 1917. Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant 5th Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment 1 Aug 1917.
Killed in action 21 March 1918 during the German offensive. Joe was with the 5th North Staffs as part of the 59th Division holding the front at Bullecourt. The Germans broke through the line a mile to the right of the North Staffs and attacked their rear. North Staffs casualties on that day were 22 Officers and 539 men.
Jo left a widow Edith.
He is recorded on the Arras (France) Memorial Bay 7 & 8 in the Faubourg d'Amiens Cemetery at Arras.
No additional memories have been submitted