Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Aubin John Boothby a game keeper, born 1847 in Old Hunstanton, Norfolk and his wife Charlotte, born 1846 in Old Hunstanton, Norfolk. Joseph Henry was born in 1889 in Alconbury, Hunts., his siblings were, Leonara, born 1873 in Downham Market, Norfolk, Percy, born 1876 in Docking, Norfolk, Maude, born 1880 in Docking, Norfolk, Ada, born 1882, Alfred, born 1885 and Edward, born 1887, the latter three siblings were all born in Old Hunstanton, Norfolk, in April 1891 the family home was at North Road, Alconbury, Hunts. In March 1901 Joseph was residing in the family home at The Rectory, North Luffenham, Rutland together with his father, a domestic gardener, his mother and siblings, Percy, Alfred and Edward, also residing with the family was his niece Mabel Boothby, born 1894 in Pimlico, London. In April 1911 Joseph was employed as a domestic servant and was residing in the family home at North Luffenham, Rutland together with his parents and niece, Mabel Boothby. He embarked for France in May 1915, and took part in the Battle of Loos. The War Diary for today records. At 5.30am the Battn was in positions of readiness in accordance with orders in four lines opposite their objective with bombing parties, sandbag parties and carrying parties all arranged and in position. At 6.00am the first line got over the parapet quickly followed by the second, the left had to right form to get in line with the right as the trench ran back from a salient near the centre. As the first two lines went out the third and fourth filed into the vacant positions in the firing line. The gas affected a number of our men, and the smoke caused a dense fog and direction was difficult. Casualties began at once and the third line was ordered out to fill up gaps. Owing to the thick smoke it seemed likely that gaps would occur on the flanks and at 6.07am the fourth line was sent out with special instructions to maintain touch with the units on either flank. At about 6.10am the left were over the German parapet and our flag was seen flying on their lines. The left went forward with such dash that they outstripped the 2nd/8th GURKHAS and came in for a lot of fire from rifles and maxim guns from our right. This caused a good many casualties including all the officers and most of the NCO’s of A Coy which was the extreme left. Undeterred the men went on, got over the uncut wire and reached the road with parties of the 2nd/8th GURKHAS and gained their objective. In the meantime our right had not fared so well. They went forward in good line under a heavy fire till held up by the German wire. A number of our men here were collected in the ditch in front of the German wire waiting for developments. Officer casualties. Killed Capt F. H. ROMILLY D.S.O., Capt E. C. Deane R.A.M.C. Died of wounds 2nd Lt M. W. BROWNE. Wounded Lt Col H. GORDON D.S.O., Capt W. C. WILSON, Lt H. H. PHILLIPS, 2nd Lt G. W. TANNER, 2nd Lt H. H. HEMPHILL, 2nd Lt V. E. ELLINGHAM, 2nd Lt C. C. BAILEY, 2nd Lt G. W. GROSSMITH. Slightly wounded Major F. LEWIS, Capt D. L. WEIR. Gassed 2nd Lt W. WILSON. Missing and believed killed Lt W. T. PICKIN, 2nd Lt R. E. S. LODGE. Missing known to have been wounded 2nd Lt C. G. WOODBOURN. Missing and no trace 2nd Lt W. J. WILKINSON, 2nd Lt E. A. WILKINSON, 2nd Lt T. R. LONGCROFT. Rank and file casualties. Killed 72. Wounded 217. Gassed 42. Missing 96. Wounded slightly but did not quit Battn 3. What was left of the Battn were relieved from the front line by the 2nd/39th GARWHAL RIFLES at 6.30pm and moved into support and local reserve just in rear. Before the operations began the Battn worked for a week in strengthening the front line and preparing the defences behind. Four very strong lines were constructed capable of resisting the enemy’s bombardment.