Joseph's Story.
Joseph Booth was born in Knutsford in 1880. He enlisted as a regular soldier in 1908, joining the Cheshire Regiment.
When the war started Joseph was in the 2nd Battalion of the Cheshire Regiment, becoming Private no. 8851.
He arrived in France on the 6th January 1915.
Joseph was killed in action on the 8th May 1915.
On that fateful day:
The war diary states:
8.5.15 Verlorenhoek.
A heavy bombardment of the trench was commenced by the enemy about daybreak and was carried on incessantly until the line was broken by a fierce infantry attack, made with overwhelming numbers. Asphyxiating gas was used freely by the enemy. The positions occupied by the Btn HQ and no.1 and 4 coy were surrounded by the enemy and with very few exceptions the officers and men were killed or taken prisoner.
Killed 17 missing 182.
After the attack by the enemy the firing line was reformed in what had hither to been the support trench about 500 yards to the rear of the original trench. The two officers and the remaining OR were put under the command of Lt. Col. Marsden of the 1st Welsh that Batt being also in occupation of the new firing line.