Joseph Moody

Joseph was the second son of Joseph and Phoebe Moody (née Barnard). His father was born in Brough, Lincolnshire, in 1845, the son of William and Sarah Moody, and baptised in Winthorpe parish church the same year. His mother Phoebe was born in Faldingworth, Lincolnshire, in 1847 (reg. J/F/M), the daughter of William and Ann Barnard. Phoebe was in domestic service by 1871 when she was 14 years old. Joseph and Phoebe were married at Harworth & Bircote All Saints, Nottinghamshire, on 4 June 1878 and had three sons: William b. 1879 (reg. Newark), and Joseph b. 1881 and Frederick (Fred) b. 1884 who were both born in North Thoresby, Louth. In 1881 Joseph snr., described as a farmer's son, his wife and their first child, William (1), were living at Private House, North Thorseby. Joseph was probably working for his father as he was also recorded on the census completed by his father William, a farmer, of North Thoresby. By 1891 Joseph (no occupation given) and Phoebe, working as a laundress, with their sons William, Joseph (9) and Fred (7) were living on Church Lane, Waltham, Caistor, Lincolnshire. Both parents died in 1892. Joseph snr. probably in February (reg. Spilsby) and buried in North Thoresby St Helen churchyard on 11 February . Phoebe died later in the year (reg. J/A/S Caistor) Joseph jnr. has not yet been traced on the 1901 Census, but his brother William was probably lodging on Stockwell Gate, Mansfield, and working as a general carter, while Fred, a horseman on a farm, was with his uncle, George Moody (b. Laceby Lincs), a farmer, and his wife Susan, at Larch Farm, Blidworth, Mansfield. In 1911, Joseph was working as a colliery labourer and living on Welbeck Road, Mansfield Woodhouse, in the household of relations, George and Alice Brown. He was living at 51 High Street, Mansfield Woodhouse, when he enlisted in 1915. Fred, a colliery labourer, was still living with his aunt and uncle in 1911 but they had moved to Portland Street, Mansfield Woodhouse. William had married Sarah Ann Dean in 1901 and they and their daughter were living on Moor Street, Mansfield. Joseph named his brother Frederick as his next of kin when he enlisted in 1915; Frederick was living at Meadow House, Mansfield Woodhouse, his uncle's home. However, George Moody was Joseph's legatee and when George completed a form for the army in September 1919 listing his nephew's surviving blood relatives gave only his name, completing the section for brothers as 'none.' Both brothers attended Joseph's funeral in 1916 and no record has been traced of their deaths before 1919.

1911 - colliery labourer. 1915 - shunter, Crown Farm Colliery

51 High Street, Mansfield Woodhouse. Enlisted Mansfield

16th Bn Sherwood Foresters (Chatsworth Rifles) (Notts & Derby Regiment). Formerly 19th Bn. Joseph enlisted on a Short Service (Duration of War) engagement on 27 May 1915 aged 34 years and 349 days, occupation colliery labourer. He joined at Buxton, Derbyshire, on 27 May and underwent military training in the UK: Buxton 27 May 1915-8 June 1915. Redmires 9 June 1915-2 September 1915. (-) 2 September 1915-30 September 1915. Aldershot 30 September 1915-8 November 1915. (-) Camp, 8 November [no other details] He embarked at Southampton on 6 March 1916 for the BEF France. According to a newspaper report of his funeral, in October 1916, Joseph was 'caught in the wire entanglements and there lost all his kit and most of his clothing. Through this mishap he received his wounds which eventually caused his death.' He was not rescued until four days later. Joseph was treated at No. 49 Casualty Clearing Station on 12 October 1916 for a gunshot wound to the knee (later medical records 'GSW right thigh') and then at No. 3 Stationary Hospital Rouen on 14 October. He was transferred to England on 23 October (HS Western Australia) and admitted to the Lord Derby War Hospital, Warrington, Lancashire, the following day. His leg had to be amputated (septicaemia) and he died in hospital at 7:10pm on 8 November 1916. The cause of death was given as (1) GSW right thigh (2) Secondary haemorrhage. Following a funeral service at Mansfield Woodhouse parish church on Tuesday 14 November, Joseph was buried in Mansfield Woodhouse Cemetery, Nottinghamshire NG19 9BB (grave ref. B. 4231). Joseph had served for 1 year 166 days including home 27 May 1915-5 March 1916. His service record gives his period in theatre as 6 March 1916 to his death in England on 8 November 1916. He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'The Lord gave and the Lord taketh away' CWGC: 'Son of the late Joseph and Phoebe Moody.' Mansfield Chronicle Advertiser, 8 November 1917, Roll of Honour: 'Pte Joseph Moody of Sherwood Foresters has died of wounds.' Mansfield Reporter, Friday 17 November 1916: ‘Mansfield Woodhouse Soldier's Death. Military Funeral. The interment took place on Tuesday [14] at the new cemetery, with military honours, of Private Joseph Moody, nephew of Mr Geo. Moody of Meadow House. The deceased enlisted two years ago in the 16th Sherwoods, and trained at Redmires and Lichfield. From the latter place he went to France in March of this year, and for some months had seen some of the most severe fighting. About six weeks ago he was caught in the wire entanglements and there lost all his kit and most of his clothing. Through this mishap he received his wounds which eventually caused his death. For four days and four nights he lay in the open until, when life was almost gone, he was at last discovered. He was taken to hospital in France where he remained for a fortnight and then to Lord Derby Hospital, Warrington. After four weeks of terrible suffering he was informed that he must lose his leg. ‘Never mind,’ he said, ‘only get on with it.’ It was this spirit which carried him through the whole of his pain and agony. ‘This,’ he said, ‘is nothing to the hell out yonder.' Only one week did he survive after the amputation passing peacefully away after five weeks’ illness at the age of 34 years. Prior to his enlistment he worked at Crown Farm Colliery, where he is still kindly remembered. At the service in the Parish Church the Vicar made touching reference to the deceased … The chief mourners were Mr William Moody and Mr Fred Moody (brothers), Mr and Mrs George Moody (aunt and uncle), Reg, Jack and Luther Brown (cousins), Mr and Mrs Brown, Mansfield Woodhouse … The following is a list of wreaths: … ‘With deepest sympathy’ from his fellow workmen at Crown Farm, ‘With deepest sympathy’ from his comrades, No 1, East Ward, Lord Derby Hospital, Warrington. There was also a very beautiful artificial wreath and globe from his comrades in the hospital proving the respect and esteem which he had won during his trying illness there. The nurses and sisters all spoke highly of his quiet endurance of suffering whilst with them.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Registers of Soldiers' Effects: legatee George Moody, uncle. Personal Propery: In April 1917 the War Office instructed the Infantry Records Office Litchfield to return Joseph's property to his uncle, George Moody, Meadow House, Mansfield Woodhouse. However, the memo is noted 'None.' Joseph may have lost all his personal belongings when he was stranded in 'No Man's Land' in October 1916 but the Warrington hospital may have already returned his belongings to his family.