Joseph Henry Powell

Story:
Joseph Henry Powell was born in 1879 in Shaftesbury and baptised at Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury on 9th September, 1879. He was the son of Francis Powell, a draper, and Rosa Powell (née Whitby) living at 28 High Street, Shaftesbury. He attended Shaftesbury Grammar School from April 1888 to August 1896. After leaving school he entered a firm of Chartered Accountants as a clerk and by 1901 boarded out at 30 Palmerston Road, Bournemouth. Both Joseph's parents died in 1909. By the 1911 Census he had moved to live with his brother, Ralph, at 75 Chesterfield Gardens, Harringay, Tottenham, Middlesex, still working as an Accountant's Clerk. Both of his parents had died in 1909 and were both buried in Holy Trinity Churchyard.

Joseph enlisted in Harringay in 1915 and joined the 11th (County of London) Battalion, Finsbury Rifles (Service No 4074). This Unit was renamed the London Regiment (Finsbury Rifles) and he was given a new Service Number 451613. He served in the Egyptian Theatre and was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal. He was killed in action at Gaza whilst with the 1st/11th Battalion of his Unit on 2nd November 1917. He was buried at Gaza War Cemetery (grave id. XIV.A.15). He was awarded the Victory, British War and 15 Star medals and is remembered on the Park Walk War Memorial and on the Holy Trinity Memorial, now in St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury. His name also appears on the Shaftesbury Grammar School memorial in Shaftesbury School. Joseph's brother Hugh Eric Powell served in the war and survived.

Frederick's name was included on a hand written list of Shaftesbury Grammar School old boys serving during the war. An asterix can be seen next to Joseph's name, indicating that he had died. The board is now at Gold Hill Museum.

Printed Sources:
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, March 1918