Wigan Album

Jake, hopefully someone with photo repair on their computer will tidy up your photo of Great, Great Grandfather Joseph, have you any more information of him i.e. whereabouts he lived and his life etc., before joining up and on the photo he looks to be a boxer. There's a boxing website that lists boxers from 1900 to 1979. https://www.boxinghistory.org.uk/wlist.html

Yes I know lots.. email me on jakedawberwallgate23@gmail.com , ask me what you want to know

Hi Jake; I've not seen that picture for years - thought it had been lost..

Joseph came from Dudley/Walsall area & joined the army C1898 served in the Boar war; South Africa where his unit was involved in the relief of Ladysmith.

Finished his service & left the army. Moved to Wigan with his soldier pal & married his sister. On the outbreak of WW1 he re-enlisted as a sergeant; experienced soldiers were in high demand. Fought at Gallipoli.

Seems he came down with PTSD leading to the tragic incident in 1919...

A great pity that PTSD wasn't recognised as a serious illness by the armed services back then, and only being diagnosed as a serious illness in 1980, before that being put down to shell shock. So many soldiers were affected by it and suffered with it for years but not believed to be ill by those in authority who should have looked after them.

Jake, Andrew has supplied a lot of information and I'm sure there there's plenty more with him living quite a life in civvy st and within the army, until sadly coming down with PTSD. I would ask Ron to take your email address off your post too, save you getting silly emails.

Jake,are you related to Mr Dawber that had the second hand shop in Wallgate.

Hello Andrew not seen you in ages.
Great information iv got some stuff iv found if you want me to send it you.. my email is jakedawberwallgate23@gmail.com

Hiya Maureen Not sure about the second hand shop.. do you have any names?