York and Lancaster Regiment, 13th Battalion “Barnsley Pals”, Service no. 37786
Born: 1898. Died: 13th March 1937.
Story
Joseph was the son of John William Pease & Elizabeth Horton. Before the War, he was a Grocer’s Assistant at Kippax Co-Op, and lived with his parents at Shillito’s Yard. He attested for the Army at Kippax on 22nd May 1916, and was 5 ft 6¼ inches tall, and was 18 years and three months old. Despite the terrible losses in the Battle of the Somme in July 1916, Joseph was still keen to serve, and wrote a letter to the Army five months later, stating that he was now 18 years and eight months old, and had yet to hear anything. The army called him up straight away, on 24th October 1916. After training, Joseph served in France, and was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal on 23rd August 1918. However on 30th September 1918, Joseph suffered a gunshot wound to his left elbow, which was fractured. He was admitted to hospital six days later, and spent nearly five months in hospital. His left elbow was not properly recovered, and he suffered with impaired movement. He was discharged on 7th May 1919, and was also suffering from defective teeth, which caused pain. His injuries entitled him to a weekly pension of £5 6s 2d from the Army until 8th May 1919, when it was subject to review.
After the War, Joseph married Clara Sloan in Woodlesford on 23rd Ocober 1920. He died suddenly at St James’s Hospital, Leeds at the age of 39, and was buried in Oulton on 17th March 1937, leaving behind two children: Joan (1921) and Leslie (1923)
Above: a memorial at Wombwell Cemetery for the Barnsley Pals, who, like many local Pals regiments suffered huge losses on 1st July 1916.
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