Private Joseph Chew.
235523 1/5th Loyal North Lancashire Regiment.
Died of Wounds 1st October 1918, aged 21.
Joseph was born in Burnley about 1897, the son of Ben and Mary Chew.
In the 1901 census the family lived at 4 Firth St., Burnley and consisted of, Benjamin 44, worked for the railways and born in Skipton, Yorkshire, Mary 42 born in Dinkley, Lancs, Joseph 4, Robert 2 and Jane Craven 17, step daughter and a cotton winder.
The 1911 census found them living at the same address. Ben and Mary had been married 16 years with 4 children two of whom had died. Joseph now 14 and working in an Iron Foundry, Alec 7, Robert having died sometime between the census’s. Jane Craven 27 single and still a cotton winder.
Joseph was in the East Lancs., Territorial Army (240212) prior to the first World War and was mobilised on the 5th Aug 1914 and on the 9th Sept he Embarked from Southampton to serve in the Dardanelles as a Lewis Gunner. He had a spell in hospital with sickness in the Oct of 1915 and rejoined his unit on the 3rd Jan 1916. He was back in Hospital at the end of March suffering from heat stroke. And again in Dec he was suffering from hepatitis rejoining his unit on the 25th Feb 1917. Shortly after he embarked from Alexandria bound for Marseille shortly after getting scabies.
In the May of 1918 he was back in hospital in Thiepval then in the July was back in the U.k .at a depot in Scarborough. In the Sept., he was transferred to the Loyal North Lancashires then posted to France were he was killed in action dying from his wounds.
From the Burnley Express dated 1st Feb 1919:
Mrs M. Chew 4, Firth St, Burnley, writes:- “Seeing the releases of prisoners in your paper of the 25th inst. Of one of the Loyal North Lancashires, I would be much obliged if Corp. W.H. Kay, M.M., Todmorden, could give any information regarding Pte. Joseph J Chew, 235523, of the 1/5th L.N.L., reported missing October 1sr or thereabouts. I should be grateful of any news whatever.”
Joseph left his effects to his mother Mary. Along with his war gratuity there was only two disc’s returned to her.
Joseph lived at 4 Firth St., Burnley.
Joseph was buried in Proville British Cemetery, France: Grave Ref; I.B.4