Joseph's Story.
Joseph Poole was born in Runcorn in August 1895, the son of Mr and Mrs Robert Poole of 25 Byron Street. He enlisted on the 9th November 1914 at Warrington and had gone out to France in April 1915.He was a member of St Michaels Church, where as a boy he was a member of the choir. He was a member of the Lilly of the Valley Lodge of Oddfellows and as a boy attended Victoria Road School. He was a member of Runcorn Tally Ho Harriers and had a successful record, having won two medals and other prizes as a junior for cross country championships. He also played football in the Works Competition for the Castner Kellner team.
The first news of his death came in a letter to his parents from a comrade, but they refused to believe it until official notification arrived from Lichfield. At the time of this death he was Acting Sergeant Major, and although only 22 years of age had made excellent progress during his three years in the Army. He had joined up with two of his pals, and of the three that had enlisted, two had been killed and the other had been reported missing. One of these was John Derbyshire a work colleage, Reg No 15953. Since he went out in 1915 he had had two leaves, his last one being in Septemeber 1917.
His brother also received a letter from a friend, who wrote
" I am asked by a friend of mine to write to let you know what I can regarding your brother Joe's fate.
who was killed in action with us on the 1st October. Well, my dear friend he was at the time acting Sergeant Major of his company, when we were in action on the 1st when the bosche made a heavy counter attack against the position we were holding. In the meantime your brother was hit by a piece of shrapnel and was killed instantly, he did not suffer any pain. I dare not tell you the place where it happened, it will comfort you to know that Joe was one of the best NCO's and was highly respected by all who knew him, both inside and outside the Company. Not a man had a better name, and I can assure you he is and will be greatly missed by everyone ".
During the time of his death, the 7th Battalion were involved in the 3rd Battle of Ypres.