The 1901 Census records Joseph, then aged 12, as having been born in Stockport and already working as a "cotton spinner's creeler". His older brother, James, 17, was also a creeler. Their father, James, 43, was a felt hat finisher, whilst their mother, Margaret, 47 was a tailoress.

Joseph's service number confirms he was not an early volunteer and was probably conscripted at Stockport sometime after early 1917. At some point, he was wounded in action and died whilst at 21^st Stationery Hospital which operated next to where he is buried.