Picture from Buxton Advertiser

Joseph served with the Royal Field Artillery, ‘B’ Battery, 189th Brigade. The service papers for Joseph have not survived. Joseph was the uncle of John Blackwell and George Blackwell both deceased in the War.

Joseph was born in the O/N/D qtr Vol 7b page 767 1881 in Buxton, the son of William & Fanny Blackwell. In 1891 Joseph was living on Fairfield Road with his parents William & Fanny (Hough) Blackwell, the family were Cab Proprietors. Joseph had 3 older brothers John, Frank & William an older sister Fanny and 2 younger siblings James and a sister Corvetter? Joseph started North Road School on the 1st February 1892, his birth is given as 3rd October 1882 not the correct 1881, he left school on 8th January 1896.

1901 Census: Joseph was living with his widowed mother and brother James off Spring Gardens Buxton working in their Stables. His father William was deceased.

1911 Census: Joseph is now married to Eliza Ann Thompson, the couple married on 16th April 1906 at St James Church. The couple had a son Norman Edward aged 3yrs, Joseph is a Cellar man for a Wine Merchant and the family are living at 16 Dale Road, Buxton.

Joseph died at home in the O/N/D Qtr Volume 7b, page 814, and is buried at St Peters, Fairfield.