Trafford

Born during the March quarter 1883 in the Northleach R.D. - ref: 6a/397,
the eldest son of Jesse & Mary Jane Griffin (nee Newport).   Residing at
Eastleach, the family must have moved up to Eccles sometime between 1888
and 1890.

1891 Census - 3 James Street, Eccles.  Son - aged: 8 - born: Eastleach,
Gloucestershire.   Head of household - Jesse Griffin - Married - aged: 31 -
occ: General Labourer - born: Poulton, Gloucestershire.   Also - Mary
Griffin - Wife - aged: 28 - born: Poulton, Gloucestershire.   Plus 3
younger siblings.

1901 Census - 17 Andover Street, Eccles, Patricroft.   Son - aged: 18 -
occ: Gas Stoker - born: Eastleach, Gloucestershire.   Head of household -
Jesse Griffin - Married - aged: 40 - occ: General Labourer - born:
Fairford, Gloucestershire.   Also - Mary Jane Griffin - Wife - aged: 37 -
born: Leamington, Gloucestershire.    Plus 4 younger siblings and 2
boarders.

Married Alice Ann Hamblett at the Chorlton-on-Medlock Register Office
during the March quarter 1904 in the Chorlton R.D. - ref: 8c/1142.

1911 Census - 62 Davis Street, Eccles.  Head - Married - aged: 28 - occ:
Labourer - born: Sutherup, Gloucestershire.   Also - Alic Ann Griffin -
Wife - aged: 29 - born: Eccles.  Plus their two young sons - James (4) and
Jesse (1)  Both listed as sons ??   Plus a married couple as lodgers.

His parents were now residing at 10 Thorp Street, Eccles, Patricroft.   His
father now described himself as a General Labourer - aged: 50.   Plus Mary
Jane Griffin, his wife, aged: 43.  Plus 6 of their children.  They had 10
children altogether, but lost 3.

Formerly 47856 - Royal Army Medical Corps.

M.I. "Some day, sometime our eyes shall see the dear face we keep in
memory".

I am most grateful to Neil Drum & Pete Thomas for allowing me to use
verbatim the following extract from their superb 623 page book "A District
at War - Irlam & Cadishead's Part in the Great War", an incredibly detailed
and comprehensive book that is not only a credit to them, but a magnificent
memorial to the WW1 men of that district.

Served with the 1st/7th Battalion, The Manchester Regiment, 127th Brigade,
42nd (East Lancashire) Division.

Joseph lived with his wife, Alice Ann Griffin, at 62 Davis Street, Eccles
and worked in Irlam at the CWS Soap Works. He was born in East Leach,
Cirencester, Gloucester, the son of Jesse and Mary Jane Griffin who, by the
time of the Great War, were living at 17 Andover Street, Eccles. Joseph was
the eldest of five children (four sons and one daughter).   He enlisted
into the Royal Army Medical Corps as Private 47856 but was later
transferred to the 11th Battalion, Manchester Regiment (Private 3663) and
disembarked at Gallipoli on 14th July 1915.   Later in the war he was
posted to the 1st/7th Battalion.

He was killed in action on Wednesday, 17th April 1918, aged 35 and is
buried at Couin New British Cemetery, France.   Joseph is commemorated on
the Irlam Soap Works panel of the CWS Memorial at Balloon Street,
Manchester and the Barton-upon-Irwell War Memorial at St Catherine's
Church, Barton.   He is not listed on the Irlam and Cadishead War Memorial.
Medal.    Entitlement: 1915 Star Trio.