Name
Joseph Durrant
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
23/04/1917
29
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Corporal
14735
Bedfordshire Regiment
6th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
CANADIAN CEMETERY NO.2, NEUVILLE-ST. VAAST
Plot 15, Row G, Grave 8.
France
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour,
Christ Church Memorial, Watford
Pre War
Son of Charles and Ann (nee HAWKINS) DURRANT of Watford.
His parents married 7 January 1877 at St Mary’s, Rickmansworth, Herts. Charles died 1918 in Watford aged 66, and was buried 14 May in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; Ann died 26 August 1952 in Watford aged 97, and was buried 29 August, also in Vicarage Road Cemetery.
Joseph was born 14 August 1887 in Watford, and baptised 21 August 1897 at St Andrew’s, Watford. He attended first St Andrew’s Infants’ School, Watford; then St Andrew’s Boys’ School from 22 January 1894; finally Callowland Board School, Watford, from 6 January 1896 to 1 August 1901. He resided in Watford.
On the 1891 Census, aged 5 he lived in Watford, with his parents and three siblings. On the 1901 Census, aged 13 he still lived in Watford, with his parents and three siblings. On the 1911 Census, a photo paper coater aged 22, he still lived in Watford, with his parents and one sibling.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Watford; was entitled to the Victory, British War and 1914-15 Star medals, his qualifying date being 11 August 1915, and was presumed killed or died of wounds received in action during the Battle of Arras in support of the 63rd Infantry Brigade.
Additional Information
There is an article about and a Death announcement for Joseph in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 16 March 1918; plus In Memoriams in the issues dated 24 April 1918 and 26 April 1919.
Unfortunately, Joseph’s Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing.
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
