Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Arthur Warner, a general carter, born 1846 in Great Dalby, Leicestershire and his wife Ann Warner (nee Beadle, married in the 4th quarter of 1874 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district), born 1854 in Barsby, Leicestershire. Joe was born in the 3rd quarter of 1895 in Great Dalby, his siblings were, Clara, born 1889 in New Basford, Nottinghamshire and baptised in March 1891 in the Parish Church, Great Dalby, Herbert, born 1891 and baptised in March 1891 in the Parish Church, Great Dalby, Nellie, born 1894 and Lizzie, born 1897, the latter three siblings were all born in Great Dalby, in March 1901 the family home was at Dalby Street, Great Dalby. In the 2nd quarter of 1905 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district, Joe’s father died aged 59. In April 1911 Joe was employed as a farm boy and was residing in the family home at Great Dalby, together with his widowed mother and siblings, Ernest, a farm labourer, born in the 4th quarter of 1887 in New Basford and baptised in March 1891 in the Parish Church, Great Dalby, Nellie a domestic servant and Lizzie, also residing in the family home were Joe’s niece Laura May Pawley, a schoolgirl, born 1899 in Leicester and nephew, Arthur Leslie Warner, born 1910 in Buxton, Derbyshire. Joe also had the following two siblings, Emily Warner, born 1880 in Great Dalby, Susan Alice Warner, born 1881 in Alderwasley, Derbyshire. Joe’s two older brothers also died, Ernest died from bronchial pneumonia on the 16th June 1918 in hospital in Rouen France and Herbert fell in action on the 9th September 1916.
The War Diary records: 6 Apr-16 - The 19th and 28th Brigade’s supported by 21st Brigade were ordered to carry out a night march with the intention of attacking at dawn. The march was commenced shortly after midnight, in massed formation, 28th Brigade on right, 19th Brigade on left. Formation of 28th Brigade. Front line 51st SIKHS (FRONTIER FORCE) and Provisional Battalion OXFORD AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY, second line 2nd LEICESTERSHIRE REGT, third line 53rd SIKHS and 56th RIFLES (FRONTIER FORCE). Owing to considerable delay during the march the attacking Brigade’s were 1000 yards short of enemy’s position when it was daylight. Suddenly the enemy opened a withering fire. The first lines of the Brigade pushed forward to within 800 yards of enemy’s position until compelled to halt through very heavy casualties (our own artillery on right bank of TIGRIS being responsible for a considerable number) when they entrenched. Some 400 yards behind these another line was established and consolidated by some 200 men of the LEICESTERSHIRE REGT and HIGHLAND Battalion’s (1st SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS and BLACK WATCH of 19th Brigade), the remaining units of both Brigade’s extending in rear. Heavy fire was kept up by enemy throughout the day. At dusk the wounded and a few others of the Battalion and other units crawled back, and organised stretcher parties were sent out. The following casualties occurred, very early in the Battalion. Officers killed 2nd Lieutenant H. BILLINGS, wounded Major R. N. KNATCHBULL D.S.O., Major A. F. R. COLQUHOUN, Captain C. A. BAMFORD, Captain H. N. H. GRIMBLE, Lieutenant H. STOCKLEY, 2nd Lieutenant T. MONAGHAN, 2nd Lieutenant J. HARBOTTLE, 2nd Lieutenant H. S. ELLIS. 2nd Lieutenant B. BRAKES was wounded in the afternoon. Other ranks during the 6th April, killed 45, wounded 254, wounded but did not quit Battalion 3, missing 19. Major D. L. WEIR D.S.O. reassumed command of the Battalion on the afternoon of the 6th April.
The War Diary records: 7 Apr-16 - In the early morning it was supposed the enemy had evacuated the SANNAIYAT position during the night, and to find out whether this was so or not, the 28th and 19th Brigade’s were ordered to advance in attack formation at about 9.15am on the enemy’s position and, if held, to get as forward as possible and entrench. The enemy allowed the advance to continue up to about 900 yards and then repeated their tactics of the day before. The 28th Brigade again suffered heavy casualties. It was decided to advance the general line of trenches (constructed that morning) 300 yards after dark set in. The Battalion dug that portion of the line on the extreme right, with its right sitting on the SUWAIKEH MARSH, the 51st SIKHS (FRONTIER FORCE) on our left, the 19th Brigade on their left. The Battalion remained in their new trenches.
On Friday May 19th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS.” – GREAT DALBY. – FALLEN HEROES. A memorial service was held in the Wesleyan Chapel on Wednesday evening, the 18th instant, for our fallen soldiers, Lance-Corpl. Christopher Sharpe and Pte. Joe Warner, of Great Dalby, and for Lance-Corpl. Langley Berry, of Melton Mowbray, who was a farm pupil with Mr. F. E. Johnson, Great Dalby. They all belonged to the Leicestershire Regiment, and were killed in action at the Persian Gulf on the 6th instant. The news of their death was a great shock to everybody in the village. They were fine young men, and were greatly respected. A great number attended the service, which was conducted by the Rev. W. Head, Melton Mowbray. The text was St. John xi, 23, “I am the resurrection and the life.” The sermon was full of help and comfort to all, and especially to all the bereaved ones. The hymns sung were, “How bright these glorious spirits shine,” “The Son of God goes forth to war,” “Who fathoms the eternal thought,” and “For all the saints who from their labours rest.” Mrs. Goodland officiated at the organ.
On Friday May 26th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – THANKS. Mrs. Warner and family wish to thank all friends for their kindness and sympathy shown them in their loss.