Joe died on 1 January 2011, aged almost 93.
He enlisted in Birmingham on 14th January 1935 into the cavalry of the line and was posted to the 3rd King’s Own Hussars in Tidworth.
He was part of a large draft sent to the 8th King’s Royal Irish Hussars, which arrived in Egypt in January 1938.
In November of 1938, he was appointed Lance Corporal, sadly this did not last long and he was demoted in August 1939. From this time onwards he had a chequered career! He passed his Army Certificate of education in June 1939.
On leaving the Middle East for the UK in August 1944, he was awarded the 1939/45 Star, and the African Star with clasp 8th Army. He subsequently was awarded the Italy Star, the France and Germany Star and the Defence and War medals.
On his return to the UK, he was posted to the RAC Centre Bovington for employment with No 3 Information Unit. He moved with this unit to NW Europe in 1945, having married Christine in March 1945 in Birmingham.
He was discharged to the reserve in May 1947.
