Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Ebenezer Whitworth Hunt, a shoe trade riveter, born 1863 in Anstey, Leicestershire and his wife Phebe Rebecca Hunt (nee Pickard, married in the 3rd quarter of 1883 in the Market Bosworth, Leicestershire district), born 1866 in Markfield, Leicestershire. Joe’s mother died aged 28, in the 1st quarter of 1895 in the Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire district. In March 1901, Joe, a schoolboy, born in the 4th quarter of 1892 in Anstey, was residing in the family home at Pages Yard, Bradgate Road, Anstey, together with his father a shoe trade riveter, his step mother, Mary Ann Hunt (nee Gregory, married in the 1st quarter of 1896 in the Leicester district), born 1877 in Old Basford, Nottinghamshire and his siblings, Sarah Ann, a shoe trade fitter, born 1883 in Markfield, Leicestershire, Florence Harriet, a shoe trade machinist, born 1886, Thomas Henry, a schoolboy, born 1889, Charles Edward, a schoolboy, born 1895 and his half blood sibling, Hilda May, born 1900, the latter four siblings were all born in Anstey. In April 1911 Joseph was employed as a boot and shoe trade finisher and was residing in the family home at Groby Lane, Anstey, together with his father, a clock and watch repairer, his step mother and half blood siblings, Hilda, Ebenezer Whitworth, born 1902, Ernest Alsopp, born 1905, Elizabeth Whitworth, born 1908 and Frances Rebecca, born 1910, the latter four siblings were all born in Anstey.
Joseph attested into the Australian Imperial Force on the 20th October 1916 in Cootamundra, New South Wales. He gave his place of birth as Anstey, Leicestershire, his age as 23 years and 11 months and his trade or calling as labourer. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father Ebenezer Hunt, of Groby Road, Anstey, Leicestershire, England as his next of kin. He stated that he had served for 4 -?- with the Leicestershire Regiment (Territorial’s). His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 8 inches in height, weighed 140 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 34 and 35½ inches. His complexion was described as fair, his hair colour was brown and he had brown eyes. His physical development was described as good. It was noted that he had injury scars to the anterior surface of his right leg and right forearm, a mole on his left shoulder and right hip, and vaccination marks on his left arm, 4 spots. He gave his religion as Methodist. He was pronounced fit for active service on the 14th October 1916 in Coolomon, New South Wales. His record of service began when he joined “C” Company, 2nd Depot Battalion as a Private, service number 6989 on the 20/10/16. Transferred to “B” Company, 23rd Reinforcements, 1st Battalion Australian Infantry, at Liverpool on the 20/10/16 – 1/11/16. Embarked from Sydney aboard H.M.A.T. A24 Behalla on the 9/11/16. Disembarked at Devonport on the 9/1/17. Committed the offence of being. Absent without leave from Larkhill from 22.00 on the 13/3/17 till reporting at 22.00 on the 28/3/17. Awarded 16 days detention and 32 days forfeiture of pay (£8) on the 29/3/17 by Major J. K. G. Magee. Proceeded from Folkestone overseas to join the 1st Training Battalion in France on the 14/5/17. Transferred to the A. D. B. D. at Etaples on the 15/5/17. Proceeded to join unit on the 28/5/17. Taken on the strength of the 1st Battalion Australian Infantry, in the field on the 28/5/17. Killed in action, Belgium on the 21/9/17. Joe was awarded the British War and Victory medals. His father, Ebenezer Whitworth Hunt, of Groby Road, Anstey, Leicester was awarded a fortnightly pension of ten shillings to commence on the 14th December 1917. Joe made and signed a Last Will and Testament on the 18th July 1917, and bequeathed his personal estate to his sister, Mrs. Thomas Marlow, of Cropstone Road, Anstey, Leicestershire, England.
The War Diary records: 21 Sept-17 – HALF WAY HOUSE. Lieutenant BRUTON and 2nd Lieutenant CLOW were wounded and evacuated, by enemy aeroplane bomb, casualties in addition, 2 other ranks were killed, wounded 16 other ranks. At 20.30 the Battalion moved up to the line to relieve the 11th Battalion in support on the left – the Battalion then went in to support the 20th Battalion in the line – the situation was normal – Battalion strength 29 officers, 660 other ranks, less 5 officers and 61 other ranks at Transport lines. 2nd Lieutenant WARD killed in action. The Battalion was relieved at midnight 21/22 by units of 55th Battalion. Returned to DICKEBUSCH.