Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Harratt, a granite quarry worker, born 1857 in Monks Kirby, Warwickshire and his wife Sarah Ann Harratt (nee Reeves, married on the 6th November 1883 in Monks Kirby, Warwickshire), born 1863 in Stretton on Dunsmore, Warwickshire. Joseph was born in the 3rd quarter of 1893 in Monks Kirby, his siblings were John, a granite quarry worker, born 1885, Ada Sarah, a hosiery trade worker, born 1886, Tom, born on the 21st November1890, Hilda Mary, Joseph’s twin, born 1893 and George, born 1896, all his siblings were born in Monks Kirby, in March 1901 the family home was at Main Street, Ratby, Leicestershire. In the 2nd quarter of 1908, Joseph’s father died in the Market Bosworth, Leicestershire district, aged 51. In April 1911 Joseph was employed as a stone quarry worker and was residing in the family home at Station Road, Ratby, together with his widowed mother and siblings, John, a coal miner, Ada, a hosiery trade worker, Tom, a groom, Hilda, a hosiery trade worker and George, a stone quarry worker. One elder brother Tom, fell in action and another elder brother William, died in 1920 having survived his war service.
Joseph attested into the Army on a Short Service (For the Duration of the War) engagement on the 12th November 1915 in Leicester. He gave his home address as Station Road, Ratby, Leicestershire, his age as 22 years and 73 days and his trade or calling as miner. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his brother Jack Harratt of Station Road, Ratby, Leicestershire as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 3¼ inches in height, weighed 132 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 34 and 37 inches. His physical development was described as good, it was noted that he had an appendix operation scar and that he had a slight flat foot. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 22891 on the 11/11/15. Posted to the 10th (2nd Reserve) Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 12/11/15. Discharged on the 19/1/16. Documents relating to Josephs medical discharge from Rugeley Camp, Cannock Chase, Staffordshire on the 19th January 1916 record that he had a medical examination in which the following information was noted:- Age 22 years and 143 days, his height was 5 foot 3½ inches, he had a chest measurement of between 34 and 37 inches, his complexion was described as fresh, he had blue eyes and brown hair, his trade, was miner, his intended place of residence is Station Road, Ratby, Leicestershire. His Military character was described as good, and his character in accordance with King’s Regulations was also described as good, he was discharged under the heading: Authority War Office Letter 27/General No./4507/(P.F.) (A.G.2.B.) dy 28-12-15. Unfortunately there are no given details that identify the reason for Joseph’s medical discharge, however he must have re-enlisted soon after, to have been serving with the 6th (Service) Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment, but the details relating to this are unavailable due to his secondary service record not surviving.
The War Diary records: 3 May-17 - Attack at FONTAINES-LES-CROISILLES. Narrative attached.
Action at FONTAINE-LES-CROISILLES. The 6th Battalion LEICESTERSHIRE REGT was ordered to act in support to the two assaulting Battalions, 8th and 9th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT. It was decided to support each Battalion with two Companies, “A” and “C” on the right and “B” and “D” on the left, the boundary between them as in the case of the leading Battalion being ROTTON ROW. The chief duty assigned to “B” Company on the left was to take over from the 9th Battalion, consolidate and hold the defensive flank covering north and west of FONTAINE WOOD. Battalion Headquarters were established at N.36.c.3.4. those of the 8th Battalion being in the same place. Operations on right of ROTTON ROW. A wounded man of 8th Battalion having reported that his Battalion had reached the 1st objective “A” Company advanced at 5.20am and keeping in touch with the HINDENBURG LINE reached a deep trench at T.6.b.1.2. in which were two platoons of the 8th Battalion. This Company with the two platoons of the 8th Battalion advanced soon afterwards via the HINDENBURG LINE to a trench running from T.6.d.5.8. to U.1.b.1.7. On arrival in this latter trench connection was established with “C” Company on the left and DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY on right. “C” Company then worked across the open on the left of “A” and occupied the same trench with a platoon in advance at U.1.a.2.6. which was held up in shell holes by heavy machine gun fire. An attempt to bomb down BUSH TRENCH failed. The trench up to U.1.b.4.5. was consolidated and at dusk the advanced platoon fell back into it. “A” and” “C Companies held this position until relieved. Operations on the left of ROTTON ROW. The Officer Commanding “B” Company being killed and Officer Commanding “D” Company wounded it is difficult to obtain a reliable narrative of events more especially as on this flank there was considerable confusion owing to the withdrawal across the front of troops of the 18th Division. Companies were ordered to advance at 5.10am. “B” Company advanced to a position at about O.31.d.9.1. when they were held up by machine gun fire from flanks and from a trench about 200 yards in front of RIVER ROAD. They established posts at O.31.b.8.2., U.1.b.5.7. (in ROTTON ROW) U.1.b.5.5. with light gun. U.1.b.7.8. (in WOOD TRENCH) and V.1.a.9.2. These posts with the exception of the one in WOOD TRENCH were held until the Company was relieved.