Joe died on 19 August 1996, aged 74.
He joined the 8th King’s Royal Irish Hussars in February 1939 from the 9th Queen’s Royal Lancers whom he joined on St Patrick’s Day 1938, having put his age on two years. At that time the 8th Hussars were in Abbassia Barracks, Cairo.
He was Lt Charles’ driver in the Western Desert until May 1943. He qualified as a driver mechanic class two in April 1941. He was wounded at ‘Knightsbridge’.
He went to the UK on ‘Python’ in April 1944 and finished his service near home at the RAC ranges at Warcop. He was then posted to KDG. He was released in July 1946 to the Reserve after a total of 10 years of service.
He often rang (not always at a convenient time) Joe was a fund of knowledge on the 8th Hussars’ wartime time) the Regimental Secretary, QRIH to point out errors in various publications covering the Desert War and was most helpful in filling gaps in Regimental events and personalities.
For many years he suffered from ill health and his wife Eleanor, whom he married in March 1949 died before him.
