Joseph Henry's Story.
EARLY LIFE
Joseph Henry Barlow was born in Hurdsfield in 1888 and baptised on 24th July 1888 at Hurdsfield Holy Trinity Church, the son of Sarah (nee Gosling) and Samuel Barlow, a silk weaver of Hurdsfield. He was often known as Henry or Harry. In 1891, two-year-old Joseph (recorded as Harry) was living at House 1, Court 3, Arbourhey Street, Hurdsfield with his parents and siblings Maria (12), Emma (10), John (8), Walter (6), and three-month-old Fred.
By 1901 the family had moved to a larger home in the same street, 4 Arbourhey Street, where Joseph lived with his parents and siblings Maria (22), Emma (20), John (18), Walter (16), Frederick (10) and Ernest (8). By this time Joseph had left school and was working as a cotton reacher for enterer - all of Joseph's family who were employed had jobs in Macclesfield's silk or cotton industries.
Joseph's mother died in 1903 and his father died in 1906. In 1911 twenty-one-year-old Joseph (recorded as Henry) was working as a cotton weaver, still living at 4 Arbourhey Street with his younger brothers Fred and Ernest and his married sister Emma and husband Fred Harrison.
Joseph married Alice Bradley at St Peter's Church, Macclesfield on 16th August 1913 and the couple set up home at 4 Copper Street. They had two sons: Ernest, born in December 1913 and Clarence, born in August 1915. Sadly Clarence died on 6th May 1917, just over two months after his father.
WW1 SERVICE
Joseph attested in Macclesfield on 8th February 1916, stating that he was employed as a cotton weaver and lived at 4 Copper Street, Macclesfield. He was mobilised on 30th May 1916 and sent for training at Gosport, after which he was drafted to France on 30 September 1916.
Serving as a gunner in the Royal Garrison Artillery (113th Heavy Battery), Joseph was mortally wounded on 3rd February 1917 when a shell accidentally exploded. He was taken to No. 3 Stationary Hospital at Rouen but died of his injuries on 27th February 1917. Joseph's death was reported in the Macclesfield Times of 9 March 1917:
SOLDIER’S SAD END – GUNNER J H BARLOW
Mrs Barlow, 4 Copper St, Macclesfield, has been informed that her husband, Gunner Joseph Henry Barlow, Royal Garrison Artillery, died in hospital at Rouen on February 27th from severe burns about the body, hands and face, accidentally sustained in action. He was injured by a shell which exploded backwards.
The deceased was 27 years of age, and leaves two children. A native of Macclesfield, he received his education at Daybrook Street School, and was connected with Hurdsfield Sunday School. Gunner Barlow enlisted last June, and was formerly employed as a weaver at the Lower Heyes Mill. After training at Gosport, he was drafted out to France five months ago.
His brother, Private Walter Barlow, Cheshire Regt, was recently discharged from the army on account of wounds; and another brother, Private Ernest Barlow, has just gone out to France.
COMMEMORATION
Gunner Joseph Barlow is buried in grave ref. O. IV. P. 3. in the St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, France.
In Macclesfield, Joseph Barlow is commemorated on the Park Green, Town Hall, St Michael's Church and St Peter’s Church war memorials.
NOTES
Brother of Walter Barlow, who served as Private 844, 7th Cheshire Regiment, who was discharged from the army with Silver War Badge number 27001 in May 1916 after being wounded; and Ernest Barlow, who served first as Private 291599 with the Cheshire Regiment and later as Private 451734 with No. 268 Area Employment Company, Labour Corps, and survived the war.
SOURCES
GRO (England & Wales) Index: Births, Deaths
Census (England & Wales): 1891, 1901, 1911
Parish Baptism Register, Cheshire (Find My Past)
Parish Marriage Register, Cheshire (Ancestry)
WWI British Army WWI Service Records (Find My Past)
WWI British Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects (Ancestry)
WWI British Army Medal Rolls Index Cards (Ancestry)
WWI Absent Voters Lists (Find My Past)
WWI Silver War Badge Rolls (Ancestry)
WWI Silver War Badge Rolls (Ancestry)
Commonwealth War Graves Commission website
Macclesfield Times: 9 March 1917, 11 May 1917, 23 September 1921
Research by Rosie Rowley, Congleton.
Research by Rosie Rowley, Congleton.