Joseph Ainley

Gunner. Royal Field Artillery.

Born 1890 in Golcar.

Son of Emma and the late William,

Brother of Seth, Martha, Jim, Fred, Clara, Florrie and another 2 brother and 2 sisters.

Address: 2 Bolster Moor.

Occupation: Weaver at Whitwam & Son, Ramsden Mill, Golcar.

Enlisted in May 1916. Embarked for France in September.

Died of wounds 24th May 1917. Aged 27.

Buried at Duisans British Cemetery, Etrun. Plot 3. Row N. Grave 48.

The villages of Etran and Duisans are about 9 km west of Arras. The cemetery lies in Etrun but takes its name from the nearer village of Duisans. Most of the 3,207 graves there relate to the Battle of Arras in 1917 and the trench warfare that followed.

A telegram from the Artillery Records Office informed Mrs. Ainley of the death of her youngest son. It read "Regret to inform you that Gunner Joseph Ainley, Royal Field Artillery died on 24th 24th June at the 19th Casualty Clearing Station in France from gunshot wounds to the abdomen."

Joseph went to Clough Head School and was connected to Sunny Bank Baptist Chapel. His name appears on the Roll of Honour in St. John's Church Golcar.