Lance/Corporal Joseph Gaynor.
4554 1/8th Liverpool Regiment (Irish).
Killed in Action 9th September 1916. Aged 50.
Joseph was born in the Sept quarter of 1866, Burnley. The son of William Gaynor and Mary Donohue. In the 1871 census the family lived at 3 Engine Court, Burnley. William 34 labourer, Mary 34 both born in Ireland, Francis 14, John 10, Joseph 6 and Annie 1 all born in Burnley.
In the 1881 census the family had moved to 51 Bridge St. (Beer House), Burnley. William 48, Mary 47, Francis 23 letter carrier, Joseph weaver, Annie 11 and Ellen 6.
The 1891 census saw Joseph 33 living with his brother Francis 33, both P.O. workers, Ellen 15, their widowed mother Mary 55 and their niece Mary Gaynor 9. They lived at 13 Catlow St, Burnley.
The next census in 1901 saw them at the same address. Mary widow 61, Francis 40, Joseph 34 labourer, Annie 30 school teacher, Mary 18 (niece) and Mary Gaynor aged 15 months.
Joseph was boarding with his sister Annie in the 1911 census. Annie had married a Patrick Craven. Joseph aged given as 40, single and a bakers labourer and still living at 13 Catlow St.
From the Burnley Express dated 7th Oct 1916: Former postman killed.
Official notification has been received of the death in action of Private Joseph Gaynor, 4554 of the kings Liverpool Regiment on September 9th. His mother now lives in Nuneaton. Private Gaynor was very well known in Burnley and Nelson. He was for 14 years or postman here and had also been employed 7 years in the bakery department of the Nelson Co-operative Society. He enlisted in June 1915 and went out to the front about last Christmas. Whilst in Burnley he was connected with St Mary's Roman Catholic Church. His brother is Superintendent Gaynor formerly of the Burnley GPO.
Joseph left his effects to his mother Mary.
Joseph is buried in Delville Wood Cemetery, France: Grave Ref; XIV.J.5. Son of William and Mary Gaynor, of Burnley, Lancs.
