Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Harry Young. Joseph was a groom before enlisting, and he embarked for France in 1916, he took part in the fighting at Arras, Messines Ridge, Ypres and on the Somme. Other sources show his place of residence as Weston Underwood, Bucks. The War Diary for the 8th September 1917 records. Battalion in trenches Right Sub-sector. Captain L. F. BEAL M.C. proceeded to 6th BEDFORDSHIRE REGT to take over 2nd in Command. Sick wastage during week: - 10 Other Ranks. 2 Other Ranks wounded. [Raid report attached under “Operational Orders and Appendices” at bottom of page]
Description of Raid made on 2nd Bn. Bedfordshire Regt on night 8th/9th September
At 11.55 p.m. the enemy put down an intense Box barrage, consisting of light Trench Mortars and 77 mm shells, on a front of 400 yards to a depth of 300 yards (approx). The front portion of the barrage, which consisted chiefly of light T.M's fell on the front line taking in about 150 yards of "A" and 150 yards of "B" Coys. The tail end of the barrage fell on and behind the supporting Platoons, the majority of this was 77 mm shells. At 12 m.n. the barrage lifted off the front line for 100 yards (marked on sketch) the enemy then attempted to rush two of our posts, both of which were Lewis Gunners, they both saw the Bosche coming and opened fire, the Lewis Gunner of "A" Coy. succeeded in keeping the Raiders off and killing two, but the Bosche managed to get round the Right flank of "B" Coy Post. I should imagine the enemy were in our trench for 2 minutes, certainly no longer. I managed to get to my right Post about 12.2 a.m., the Bosche had just left our Trench. I then put up Very Lights for 10 minutes but could not see any movement, but saw the two bodies about 20 yards from my Right Post, we at once got them in. The barrage lasted until 12.10 a.m. but after that everything was very quiet. The place the enemy raided as you will see by the sketch, was only part of our line that we had no wire out. Directly the barrage lifted I sent out a Patrol to see if "B" Coy. were alright, but found they had lost some men.
(sd) J.P.PITTS. Captain. Officer Commanding "A" Coy.