Description
A Poignant WW1 Casualty – Royal Field Artillery. With his last letter home to his daughter, dated only 4 days before he was Killed in Action.
1914-15 Star, L-17513 Sjt G.G. Joy, R.F.A.; British War and Victory Medals, L-17513 Sjt G.G. Joy, R.A.; Memorial Plaque, George Gill Joy.
George Gill Joy was born 5th December 1881 at 126, Ellen Street, Preston, Lancashire, the son of Thomas Joy, a stone mason, and Rachel Joy formerly Gaunt.
In 1891, the family are living at 47, Chorley Road, Adlington, Lancashire.
George was a well-known footballer. He commenced playing with junior clubs and later showed excellent form with Salford United. He turned out with Rochdale in the early days, when they were playing in the Lancashire Combination
In the June quarter of 1906, George’s father died. By the August of that year George was living at the Trafalgar Hotel, Ramsey Street, Rochdale. George is still working as an iron moulder.
On 18th August 1906 George and Louisa married at the Register Office, Rochdale. They had a further two children, Alice Gertrude born in 1908, Sarah Ann born in 1910.
George, aged 32, didn’t enlist straight away to serve his country.
The Borough of Rochdale Burgess Roll for 1914-1915, recorded that George and his family are living at 2, School Street, Rochdale.
In April 1915, George enlisted into the Royal Field Artillery. George was picked out for promotion and was promoted sergeant prior to going overseas.
Formed in Lytham and St Annes in Lancashire in late April and May 1915 and are sometimes known as 165, 169, 170 and 171 (Howitzer) Brigade RFA. They were also known as “2nd County Palatine”
. The brigades originally placed under command of the 32 Division.
On 14th November 1915 the 32nd Divisional Artillery, by now at Heytesbury on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, was informed that it was to remain in England while the rest of the division went to France, but that it would proceed there in the December. This did not take place. On 2nd December further orders arrived, transferring the artillery to 31* Division.
On 22nd December 1915, George left the shores of England, and sailed to Egypt.
It is not known how long he remained in Egypt; however, he moved to France as part of”A” Battery 170″ Brigade.
Whilst in the trenches; George wrote to his daughter Doris from France:
“Just a line in answer to your welcome letter for which I have been waiting so long, I really thought you had forgotten me, as now you are working, I suppose you think you are everybody, but never mind Doris I am sure you will be a good help to your mother especially as things are so dear. I am expecting being home just before Christmas so save up your spence as 1 am expecting having a good time and I know you will like to have a day off to swank about with your dad. I can’t swank here as I have just come in my little dug out as they call them after having a walk around in the dark to see that my men are safe and I can tell you it is dark too; you cannot see a finger in front of you and you dare not show a light because if you did your number is up and I want to see home before that happens, so get them half a dozen cups as saucers ready that your auntie bought your mama for her birthday and things will be humming at home as well as here.
1 am pleased to hear that your auntie May keeps coming to see you but tell her that I have not heard from her for quite a long time and should like to know how she is going on so no more at present, love from your loving Dad xxxxxxxx”
On 16th October 1917, George was killed in action hit by a piece of shrapnel and died instantly (on the eve of his leave).
He was buried in plot 1 Row E in grave 22 in Roclincourt Military Cemetery, france.
News of his death appeared in the Rochdale Observer on 10th November 1917, page 6:
An official intimation has been received of the death of Sergeant George Gill Joy, Royal Field Artillery, 2 School Street, Toad Lane, Rochdale. He was killed in France by a piece of shrapnel on October 16th,
“, Sergeant Joy was well
known in football circles. He commenced playing with junior clubs and later showed excellent form with Saford United. He turned out with Rochdale in the early days, when they were playing in the Lancashire Combination.
Sergeant Joy, who was 35 years od age, was married and had four children. He enlisted in April 1915. Previously he worked for Messer’s T. Renshaw and Company, Hanging Road Mill.
A further report appeared in the Rochdale Times dated 10th November 1917:
Former Rochdale Footballer Killed
Followers of “Soccer” football will regret to hear that Sergeant George Gill Joy, Royal Field Artillery, and a former playing member of the Rochdale Association Football Club, was killed in action in France on the 16th October. A telegram received on Manday stated that he was hit by a piece of shell and died immediately. Much sympathy is felt for his wife and four children, who resided at 2 School Street. Deceased was 35 years of age and enlisted at the end of April, 1915. He had been in France over two years. Prior to entering the war, he worked for Messrs I. Redshaw and Co., cabinet makers and attended St Mary’s Church. Three brothers-in-law are serving with the forces.
There were further words of condolence in the Rochdale Observer from his children, mother, brother, sisters, brother-in-law, and former employer, and close relations
Twelve months after the death of her husband, George’s wife had the following placed in the Rochdale Observer dated 19th October 1918 page 6:
JOY- In loving memory of my dear husband Sergeant George Gill Joy RFA who weas killed in action on October 16th 1917 (on the eve of his leave) and was buried in a British Military Cemetery at Roclincourt, Arras.
Let the world say what it may, I loved him then and do today;
Nothing to me can ever repay, the sacrifice he made that day From his loving wife.
Twenty-five years later in 1943, George Gill Joy and his wife were remembered after his wife died. An obituary to his wife Louisa and George was placed in the Rochdale Observer on 18t December 1943 from their children:
JOY- In loving Memory of our darling mother Louisa Joy, died December 14th 1939 also our dear dad Sergeant George Gill Joy, Killed in action October 16th 1917.
Reunited.
Condition – NEF
