Joseph's Story.
Joseph Pugh was born on the 7th June 1897 in Hoylake, to parents Joseph, a fisherman, and Sarah Pugh (nee Baker).In 1901 Joseph lived with his parents, three brothers and three sisters, at 18, Wood Street, Hoylake. By 1911 the family had moved to 11, Lake Place, also in Hoylake. The census of that year recorded Joseph as still at school but he also worked as a golf caddy.
Following the outbreak of the First World War Joseph enlisted on 1st September 1914 in the 13th Battalion King’s Liverpool Regiment. On his attestation papers he stated his age as being 19 years and 63 days; his actual age was only 17. He also stated his occupation as a fisherman but later reports record Joseph as working for Mr. Dan Ellis, fruiterer, Market Street, Hoylake.
Joseph was transferred to the 12th Battalion, King’s Liverpool and landed in France on the 20th December 1915. In February 1917 the battalion was on the Somme, based around the villages of Carnoy and Guillemont. It was during this period that Joseph received severe wounds to his legs. He was transported to No 1 General Hospital, Etretat, on the Normandy coast. On the 28th February 1917 Lance Corporal Joseph Pugh died of his wounds. He was buried at Etretat Church Extension.
Joseph Pugh was awarded the 1914-15 Star and the British and Victory Medals. He is remembered on the West Kirby War Memorial and the ‘Men of Hoylake’ War Memorial in St. Hildeburgh’s Church.
Birkenhead News 03 March 1917
Young Hoylake Soldier
Succumbs to Wounds
Official intimation has been received by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Pugh, 11 Lake Place, Hoylake, of the death of their eldest son, Lance-Corporal Joseph Pugh, whose serious wounding we reported in Wednesday’s issue. Both legs and left buttock were injured. The deceased, who was of a bright and cheery nature, was only 19 years of age. Before enlisting he worked for Mr. Dan Ellis, Market Street, Hoylake.
Research, Joseph Pugh's photograph and newspaper article by Chris Booth