Joseph Percy was the son of William Blythe and Lucy Blythe (nee Ketton).
William Blythe was born in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, and Lucy Ketton in Upton, Lincolnshire. They were married in 1877 (J/A/S Nottingham) and had five children of whom only four survived: Beatrice Maud b. 1879 (J/A/S Nottingham), Grace Winifred birth registered 1884 (J/F/M Nottingham), Joseph Percy birth registered 1886 (J/F/M Nottingham) and Albert Henry b. 8 May 1888 (A/M/J Nottingham).
In 1881 William (25), a barman, and Lucy (26) were living on Toll Street, Nottingham, with their two-year old daughter Beatrice. They were still living in the city centre in 1891, now with four children, Beatrice (11), Grace (7), Joseph (5) and Albert (2).
William probably died in 1894 (O/N/D Nottingham) at the age of 37
His widow was living at 36 Albert Grove, Lenton, by 1901 along with her four children Beatrice (21) a dressmaker on her own account, Grace (17) a packer, Joseph (15) a printer's apprentice and Albert (12) who was still at school. There were also two boarders in the household, Charles Haseley (30), an accountant, and George Watson (48) a sewing machine agent.
By 1911 Lucy (56) was living at 28 Teversal Avenue, Lenton Sands. Only Joseph (26) and Albert (23) who were both lace warehousemen, were still living at home. There were three boarders in the household, Elizabeth Rae (32) a domestic science teacher, John Hales (58) a barman and Arthur Henson (23) a photographer. Lucy was still living on Teversal Avenue when she was notified of Joseph's death in 1918.
Beatrice had married William Edward Jackson in 1908 (O/N/D Nottingham) and in 1911 they were living at 33 Wordsworth Road, Nottingham, with their one year old daughter, Doris Lucy (birth registered 1910 J/F/M Nottingham). It is likely that Doris died the following year aged one year (burial 30 December 1911). Beatrice died on 16 December 1916 aged 37; she and William were then living at 56 Norton Street, Radford.
Grace had married Robert Henry Price in 1909 (A/M/J Nottingham) and in 1911 they were living at Coke Ovens, Pinxton, Alfreton, Derbyshire, where both were employed. They had one child, Mary Winifred (1 month), and Robert's younger sister, Bertha Price (11) was also living with them. The family later emigrated to Australia.
Albert may have served in the Army Service Corps during the war as there is a record of an Albert Henry Blythe (T/254546 Private RASC) who qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal. Albert probably married Gladys B Robinson (b. 16 June 1892) in 1923 (A/M/J Nottingham) and in 1939 they were living in Bentinck Buildings, 15 Wheeler Gate, Nottingham, where Albert was caretaker and lift attendant. Albert died on 23 December 1962.