Joseph Arthur Dooley

He was the son of Alfred Henry and Emma Caroline Dooley and the brother of Charles Henry, James Alfred (killed in action 5/7/1916), Percy and Harry Dooley. In 1901 they lived at 37 Pleasant Row Hyson Green Nottingham. He was the husband of Elsie Hannah Cliffe (née Hickling) Dooley and the father of Elsie May and Joseph Dooley. In 1911 they lived at 4 Parker Street Nottingham. Elsie married Frank Taylor in 1919. Elsie Hickling and Joseph married on 1 April 1907, St Pauls Church Hyson Green. Elsie May born 21 February 1908, Nottingham. 1891 census - Family living 7 Parkinson Terrace Radford Nottingham - Parents Alfred H and Emma C, children - Charles H, James A, Joseph A and Percy D; 1901 - 37 Pleasant Row Hyson Green - Parents - Alfred Henry and Emma Caroline; children - Charles Henry, Joseph Arthur, Percy, Harry, Also Annie daughter in law and Charles, Grandson; 1911 census - 4 Parker Street Radford - Joseph, head, marr, 25; Elsie, wife, 25; Elsie, daughter, 3; Service papers - Father Alfred (James Alfred used Henry), brothers Charles, James (serving in Sherwood Foresters), Percy and Harry; Effects letter - 18 August 1916 to Mrs E H C Dooley, 6 Parker Street Radford, Nottingham. Relatives form 22 August 1919 - Widow Elsie Hannah Taylor (remarried) 11 Aspley Place Alfreton Road Nottingham; Daughter Elsie May Dooley 21st February 1908; Father of soldier - Alfred Henry, 25 Norton Street of Denman St. Brothers of soldier - Percy, 31 and Harry 21, same address as father.

He was a miner. Regular Soldiers 1903 - 1906

Hyson Green Nottingham

8932 Joseph Arthur Dooley attested in the Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) aged 18 years 10 months, on 20th October 1903 (2 weeks after his brother James Alfred). He was already serving in the militia. He signed up for 3 years with the colours and 9 with the reserves. Within a month of enlisting he was receiving medical treatment for a disease and had lost 6 days pay for absence. On 8 March 1904 he was posted to the 2nd battalion based at home. On 24 October 1904, Joseph was convicted by a civil power of 'common assault' and sentenced to 6 weeks imprisonment. He also lost 42 days service for fixing his rate of pension. On 19 October 1906 he was transferred to the Army reserve. Joseph was mobilized on 5 August 1914 and sent to 3rd reserve for training. On 10 October, Joseph was posted to 1st battalion and went to France with them on 4 November 1914. He lasted a month before being returned home on the Hospital Ship Carisbrooke Castle suffering from frostbite. He was returned to duty with the 3rd battalion on 17 April 1915 and then posted to the 1st battalion on 2 May. On 12 June 1915 he was in hospital with suspected Enteric fever and sent to England on the Hospital Ship Cambria. On 26 August he was returned to the Regimental depot in Derby. On the 12 November 1915 he was posted to the 3rd reserve battalion based in Sunderland. His brother James was also there at this time. He was in trouble for absence in November 1915 and March 1916. On 9 May 1916 he was posted to 1st battalion in France. The battalion moved into the line, Angres 1 sector on 4th June, with 3 companies in the front line and 1 in support. The war diary for 7th "Weather fine. Heavy shelling on Corons D'Aix in the morning, with many Rifle Grenades and Trench Mortars on the front line" Joseph's papers give details of his burial but sadly they are very faint. "Buried side of Communication trench....... S E of Aix noulette, two and a quarter miles N of ................" The above is likely to be the cemetery he now lies in Tranchee De Mecknes Cemetery, Aix-Noulette France. John Morse

His brother Private James Allfred Dooley, 1st Battalion Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment, was killed in action on 5th July 1916. His name is Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial