Joseph Richard Howes

Died: 13 October 1915

Rank and Regiment: Private in the 7th Battalion of the Norfolk Regiment

Resting Place: body unrecovered

Memorial: St. Peter and St. Paul, Wramplingham, United Kingdom and; Loos Memorial, France

Joseph was the son of Mrs Lottie Elizabeth Howes-Bassett and the husband of Alice Watts Howes of 13 Flower in Hand Yard, Heigham Street, Norwich (formerly of Wramplingham).

Joseph enlisted in the 7th Battalion, the Norfolk Regiment on 30 May 1915. The 7th Battalion was formed at Norwich in August 1914 and came under orders of the 35th Brigade in 12th (Eastern) Division. In 1915, the 12th Division fought in the Battle of Loos and on 13 October was engaged in a large scale action to renew the offensive, now called the “Action of the Hohnzollern Redoubt”. During this period at Loos, 117 officers and 3,237 men were killed or wounded.

Joseph was missing in action, presumed killed, on Wednesday 13 October 1915 at the age of 30. He was awarded the Victory, British War and 1914-15 Star Medals. Joseph left a widow, Alice, and three young sons, Richard aged 6, George aged 5 and John aged 4.

He has no known grave but is commemorated at the Loos Memorial in the Pas de Calais region in France, and on the Wramplingham War Memorial.

Loos Memorial, France