Joseph, I am not aware of the precise circumstances of your death, nor what caused it, but, as a former soldier in the 1st Lincolns myself, doing my National Service in 1950 in the Suez Canal Zone, although sad to read of your sacrifice, I am pleased to be given this opportunity to salute you as a brave soldier who lost his life in the service of his country during the later fighting on the Somme front, from 3 September 1916 to the end of that year, which became known as the Battle of the Ancre. We read that during October “a struggle of intense violence continued by the ravine of the Ancre above Thiepval” and that the forces of men and guns employed by both sides were large. Eighty-three members of your battalion, including you yourself, perished on 23 October 1916, which must have been one of the fiercest day’s fighting of the whole battle. You were commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing with 231 other members of our regiment who died in the Battle of the Ancre. I can but quote the memorial hymn again, “All you had hoped for, all you had you gave to save mankind – yourself you scorned to save”. I trust that you were also commemorated on your home town war memorial. You are also remembered every year at the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance, when the parade is at the attention while the Queen’s Colour and the National Standard are dipped in salute as the Last Post is sounded. I offer my sympathy to your parents and other relatives who mourned your sacrifice. Rest in Peace. Harry.
Henry Harrison