Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Samuel Barber a farm labourer, born 1867 in Sileby, Leicestershire and his wife Rebecca Barber (nee Shuttlewood, married on the 25th December 1888 in the Parish Church, Sileby), born 1869 in Sileby. Joel Samuel was born on the 28th July 1889 in Sileby, and was baptised on the 22nd September 1889 in the Parish Church, Sileby, in April 1891 the family home was at City Villa, The Banks, Sileby. Joel had a brother Oliver, born in the 3rd quarter of 1896, who died in the 1st quarter of 1898. In March 1901 Joel was residing in the family home at Back Lane, Sileby, together with his father, a farm labourer, his mother and sister, Eliza Ann, born 1894 in Sileby. In April 1911 Joel was employed as a shoe trade worker and was residing in the family home at Queen Street, Sileby together with his father, a market gardener, his mother and siblings, Eliza, a shoe trade worker, Eva, a schoolgirl, born 1902 and Monty, a schoolboy, born 25th November 1905, the latter two siblings were both born in Sileby. Joel married Emma Smith in the Parish Church, Sileby on the 2nd September 1911. Joel died of wounds received in action in the 23rd Casualty Clearing Station at Lozinghem, he was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
On Friday June 14th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL CASUALTIES.” – The official casualty lists published during the week have included the following names relating to this district:- From Monday’s list:- Died of Wounds. R.F.A. – Barber, 201052 Dvr. J. (Sileby).