Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Bostock a shoe trade clicker, born in the April quarter of 1874 in Anstey, Leicestershire (son of Joseph Bostock, 1849-1888 and Emma Wolfe, 1851-1895) and his wife Annie Mary Bostock (nee Simpson, married on the 7th August 1895 in St. Mary’s Church, Anstey), a stocking maker, born on the 28th February 1875 in Anstey (daughter of Daniel Simpson and Matilda Richards). Joseph was born in the January quarter of 1896 in Anstey and baptised on the 23rd February 1896 in St. Mary’s Church, Anstey, in March 1901 the family home was at Bradgate Road, Anstey.
Joseph’s father died in the July quarter of 1900 in Anstey, aged 26 and was interred in Anstey cemetery on the 15th September 1900.
In April 1911 Joseph was employed as a traveller’s assistant and was residing in the family home at 39, Bolton Road, Leicester together with his stepfather, Charles Robinson, a brewer’s labourer, born 1883 in Mountsorrel, Leicestershire (son of Joseph Robinson), his mother (married on the 1st May 1906 in St. Mary’s Church, Anstey) and his sibling, Gladys Bostock, a schoolgirl, born on the 20th October 1902 in Anstey and his half blood-sibling, Charles, born on the 4th August 1906 in Anstey.
FAMILY NOTES:
Joseph also had a younger sibling, William Arthur, born in the July quarter of 1898 in Anstey and baptised on the 2nd October 1898 in St. Mary’s Church, Anstey and who died in the January quarter of 1900 in Anstey, aged 1 year, and was interred in Anstey cemetery on the 27th March 1900.
Joseph’s army service enlistment documents do not survive, therefore the currently available information pertaining to his military service has been obtained from the following sources: - 1921 HMSO Publication, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914 - 1919, WW1 Service Medal and Award Rolls, Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Registers.
Enlisted/Attested in Leicester into the Regular Army. Date not known.
Joined. At Leicester. Date not known.
Posted. To Depot Leicestershire Regt. Pte. Date not known.
Allotted the Regimental Service number 16404.
Posted. To 2nd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. Date not known.
First entered the theatre of war in France. 19/3/15.
Transferred. To 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. Date not known.
Killed in action. In the Field. 15/9/16.
Body not recovered. Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.
Awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
In the event of his death, Joseph nominated his mother, Annie M. as his sole legatee.
The War Diary records: 15 Sep-16 - Battalion moved into its attack position during the night and were finally settled down and ready to attack by 4.30am. 2nd Lieutenant DAVIES attached Q 6th Division. The Commanding Officer decided to attack with “D” and “B” Companies in the front line, with “D” on the left and “B” on the right. “A” and “C” Companies formed the second line, with “A” on the left and “C” on the right. Two Lewis Guns accompanied each Company, and two were left in reserve with Battalion Headquarters. Two Bombing Squads of ten each were also formed in each Company. These squads carried the full amount of bombs, while every man also carried two Mills No.5 bombs (one in each pocket). The fighting strength of the Battalion going into action was 23 officers including (the Medical Officer and Chaplain) and 643 other ranks. About 5.50am two enemy aeroplanes appeared above us, but did not stay long. About this time also, a Tank was noticed on our right moving quietly up to the enemy’s front line. On arriving there he immediately opened fire with his machine guns, enfilading the German trench on either side. He was very heavily fired on by the enemy’s machine guns which apparently had no effect as he still continued his movements and firing. Nothing further happened till ZERO (6.20am) when the attack commenced. The leading Company’s at once advanced at the walk in from lines 30X entrance between lines. A heavy machine gun fire was immediately opened by the enemy from about T.15 b 0.4. The Support Companies followed on in the same formation 300X in the rear of the last wave of the leading Company. Battalion Headquarters moved immediately in the rear of the last wave of Support Companies. The mist and smoke was terribly thick, and allowed no observation by the Support Company’s and Battalion Headquarters as to what was exactly happening to the leading Companies. Owing to this (mist and smoke) a slight error occurred in direction. The right and left under orders to keep in touch with units attacking on our right and left, moved with these units thereby causing a small gap near our centre. This was immediately filled up by Support Companies. The Artillery barrage opened too late to do any harm as the whole of the Supports had crossed the road moving due south from GINCHY (the place where the barrage was directed) before the barrage commenced. Battalion Headquarters had by this time moved into a shell hole about T.14 b 7.4. Throughout the advance the Battalion suffered very heavily from Machine Gun fire. The Battalion had not gained its objective line held up by very heavy fire, and the very strong and undamaged wire of the trench leading from the North West corner of the Left Quadrilateral (a strong point hitherto unknown). “A” Company immediately entrenched itself on a small ridge about T.14 b 9.6 to T.14 b 8.2. Efforts were made to locate the exact positions of “B,” “C” and “D” Companies. It was found that “B” and “C” were entrenched about T.14 b 7.7 had lost very heavily while unsupported. “D” Company had lost very heavily also and the remainder (“D” Company) were still advancing with the GUARDS and occupying shell holes between our new position and the German wire (a few of the latter came in under the cover of darkness). Good communication was kept with the contact aeroplane by means of flares and groundsheets throughout the day. Great difficulties were experienced in keeping track with Brigade Headquarters owing to the impossibility of using means of wired signalling, and the heavy barrage kept up throughout the day making it impossible for a runner to succeed in getting through. And then later Private PARRY (“A” Company) did excellent work in getting through and returning safely to us, thus three times saving the day, he was finally detained by Brigade Headquarters after a fourth journey. Throughout the day the trenches were improved, and by night everyone had more or less good cover. “A” Company, “B” Company and Headquarters were subjected to heavy shell fire throughout the day. “B” and “C” Company were moved up to where our new line was continued to the right and left. The night was quiet except for heavy sniping in front of “C” Company and its attack on one line of trenches and a communication trench (in course of construction) line carried without any serious opposition. These were occupied by the 9th Bavarian Regiment. No prisoners were taken. Casualties, 2nd Lieutenant J. C. WEBB, 2nd Lieutenant J. G. KENNEDY and Lieutenant A. H. PINDER were all killed. 2nd Lieutenant F. B. STEVENSON, Captain H. PICKBOURNE, 2nd Lieutenant H. A. GRAVES, 2nd Lieutenant W. BLACKLOCK, Captain G. H. SALMON, Lieutenant J. H. JOHN and 2nd Lieutenant R. PICKERSGILL were all wounded. Captain C. W. HERBISON, 2nd Lieutenant G. H. GRISTWOOD, 2nd Lieutenant J. BURNETT and 2nd Lieutenant J. G. GARDNER were all wounded and subsequently died. Other Ranks, “A” Company 23, “B” Company 35, “C” Company 23 and “D” Company 27 were killed. “A” Company 36, “B” Company 69, “C”. Company 56 and “D” Company 60 were wounded. “A” Company 5, “B” Company 11, “C” Company nil and “D” Company 16 missing in action.
On Thursday October 26th, 1916, The Leicester Daily Mercury published the following article on page 6 under the heading. “ROLL OF HONOUR.” - (A photograph accompanied the article). – Private J. Bostock, Leicester Regt., killed on Sept. 15th. His parents live at 39, Bolton-road, Leicester.
On the 11th September 1917, Joseph’s mother, Mrs. A. M. Robinson, of 39, Bolton Road, Leicester was awarded a weekly Army Dependants Pension of five shillings, commensurate on the 11th September 1917.
On Saturday September 15th, 1917, The Leicester Daily Mercury published the following article on page 4 under the heading. “OUR NOBLE DEAD.” – “SEPT. 15th, 1916.” – “FOR KING AND COUNTRY – LEST WE FORGET.” – BOSTOCK. – In loving memory of my dear son, Pte. Joseph Bostock, who fell in action, Sept. 15th 1916, eldest son of Mrs. Robinson, 39, Bolton-road, aged 20 years. Could we have raised his dying head. Or heard his last farewell. The grief would not have been so hard. To those who loved him well. He bravely answered duty’s call. He gave his life for one and all; But the unknown grave is the bitterest blow. None but an aching heart can know. Christ will clasp the broken chain. Closer when we meet again. – From his loving Mother.
On Saturday September 15th, 1917, The Leicester Daily Mercury published the following article on page 4 under the heading. “OUR NOBLE DEAD.” – “SEPT. 15th, 1916.” – “FOR KING AND COUNTRY – LEST WE FORGET.” – BOSTOCK. – In loving memory of Joseph Bostock, Leicestershire regt., reported killed in action, Sept. 15th, 1916. “The great sacrifice.” – Gertie. “Today recalls sad memories.” – J.W.R. and Family.
On Saturday September 15th, 1917, The Leicester Daily Mercury published the following article on page 4 under the heading. “OUR NOBLE DEAD.” – “SEPT. 15th, 1916.” – “FOR KING AND COUNTRY – LEST WE FORGET.” – BOSTOCK. – In loving memory of Pte. Joseph Bostock, who fell in action Sept. 15th, 1916. He sleeps not in his native land. But neath a foreign sky. And far from those who loved him best. In a hero’s grave he lies. – From his loving Aunt and Cousin.
On Saturday September 15th, 1917, The Leicester Daily Mercury published the following article on page 4 under the heading. “OUR NOBLE DEAD.” – “SEPT. 15th, 1916.” – “FOR KING AND COUNTRY – LEST WE FORGET.” – BOSTOCK. – In loving memory of my dear nephew, Pte. Joseph Bostock, killed in action, Sept. 15th, 1916, aged 20 years. Thou gavest all. – From Frank.
On Saturday September 14th, 1918, The Leicester Daily Mercury published the following article on page 2 under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” “IN MEMORIAM.” – BOSTOCK. – In loving memory of my dear son, Pte. Joseph Bostock, killed in action, Sept. 15th, 1916, aged 20 years. Two years have gone, and still, we miss him. Though far from home we oft may roam. But we hope to meet him later. In that bright and fairer home. – Mother.
On Saturday September 14th, 1918, The Leicester Daily Mercury published the following article on page 2 under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” “IN MEMORIAM.” – BOSTOCK. In loving memory of Pte. Joe Bostock, killed in action on Sept. 15th, 1916. We often sit and think. Your name we oft recall. Yet there is nothing left to answer. But your photo on the wall. – From his loving Aunt and Cousin.
On Monday September 16th, 1918, The Leicester Daily Mercury published the following article on page 2 under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” “IN MEMORIAM.” – BOSTOCK. – In loving memory of Joseph Bostock, Leicestershire Regt., reported killed in action, Sept 15th, 1916. “May his reward be greater than his sacrifice.” – Gertie.
On Monday September 15th, 1919, The Leicester Daily Mercury published the following article on page 7 under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – “IN MEMORIAM.” – BOSTOCK. – In loving memory of Pte. Joseph Bostock, 1st Leicestershire Regt., killed in action Sept. 15th, 1916, aged 20 years. I shall remember him as long as the light lasts, and in the darkness I shall not forget. – From Mother and All.
On Monday September 15th, 1919, The Leicester Daily Mercury published the following article on page 7 under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – “IN MEMORIAM.” – BOSTOCK. – In loving memory of Pte. Joe Bostock, killed in action on Sept. 15th, 1916, aged 20 years. From memory’s page we’ll never blot. Three little words, forget him not. From Aunt and Cousin.
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