Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Wesson Pick, a farm waggoner, born 1861 in Scalford, Leicestershire and his wife Sarah Pick (nee Stevenson, married in the 2nd quarter of 1886 in the Newark, Nottinghamshire district), born 1862 in Long Bennington, Lincolnshire. Josiah, a schoolboy, was born in the 4th quarter of 1894 in Scalford, his siblings were, Mabel, a domestic servant, born 1888, Walter, a schoolboy, born 1890, Gertrude, a schoolgirl, born 1892 and Leonard, born 1900, all his siblings were born in Scalford, in March 1901 the family home was at King Street, Scalford. In April 1911 Josiah was absent from the family home at King Street, Scalford, residing there was his father, a farm waggoner, his mother and siblings, Mabel, Leonard, a schoolboy and Caroline, born 1902 in Scalford, Josiah was employed as a farm servant and was residing as a servant at Scalford. Josiah first entered the theatre of war in France on the 4th May 1915, he was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals.
The War Diary records: 25 Sept-15 - At 5.30am the Battalion 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 2/8th 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” Company which was the extreme left. Undeterred the men went on, got over the uncut wire and reached the road with parties of the 2/8th 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 Captain F. H. ROMILLY D.S.O., Captain E. C. DEANE, R.A.M.C. Died of wounds 2nd Lieutenant M. W. BROWNE. Wounded Lieutenant Colonel H. GORDON D.S.O., Captain W. C. WILSON, Lieutenant H. H. PHILLIPS, 2nd Lieutenant G. W. TANNER, 2nd Lieutenant H. H. HEMPHILL, 2nd Lieutenant V. E. ELLINGHAM, 2nd Lieutenant C. C. BAILEY, 2nd Lieutenant G. W. GROSSMITH. Slightly wounded Major F. LEWIS, Captain D. L. WEIR. Gassed 2nd Lieutenant W. WILSON. Missing and believed killed Lieutenant W. T. PICKIN, 2nd Lieutenant R. E. S. LODGE. Missing known to have been wounded 2nd Lieutenant C. G. WOODBOURN. Missing and no trace 2nd Lieutenant W. J. WILKINSON, 2nd Lieutenant E. A. WILKINSON, 2nd Lieutenant T. R. LONGCROFT. Rank and file casualties. Killed 72. Wounded 217. Gassed 42. Missing 96. Wounded slightly but did not quit Battalion 3. What was left of the Battalion were relieved from the front line by the 2/39th GARWHAL RIFLES at 6.30pm and moved into support and local reserve just in rear. Before the operations began the Battalion 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.
On Friday December 3rd 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS.” – SCALFORD. – LOCAL SOLDIER MISSING. Much sympathy is expressed to Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Pick on account of their son, Pte. J. Pick, of the 2nd Batt. Leicester Regiment, who the War Office have notified has been missing since Sept. 25th. Pte. Pick enlisted in December last, and went to France on the 1st March. What makes it worse, his parents did not see him after he enlisted. If there should be any of his comrades who were in the fighting of that time his sorrowing parents would be glad to know any news of him.
On Friday December 29th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “SCALFORD.” – SOLDIER’S DEATH. – On Saturday Mr. W. W. Pick received notice from the War Office that his son, Pte. J. Pick who has been missing since September 25th 1915, was assumed as dead. Deceased belonged to the 2nd Leicester’s, and was sent to the front soon after joining, and without any leave to see his friends. He was in action on Sept. 25th, 1915, and was reported missing. – Pte. H. Hodson who was severely wounded in the jaw and has been in hospital for some time, is at home on leave for ten days.