The available records do not fully confirm the identity of Joseph Addison – the following scenario is most probable.

Joseph Addison was born in Sowerby in 1888 and his birth was registered as Joseph William Addison at Thirsk between April – June 1888. He is recorded as living with George Addison from 1891-1911 but the various census records contradict by showing him either as son or grandson to George. It is possible that he was actually the son of George’s unmarried daughter, Theresa who would have been 19 years of age at the time of Joseph’s birth. Sowerby school admission registers record Joseph’s date of birth as 21st March 1888 and show his father as George.

Joseph Addison enlisted into the army at Thirsk, giving Sowerby as his place of birth and he died on 13th February 1917. His battalion was in the front line for the dates 9th – 11th February which the war diary records as “moderately quiet” – there is nothing recorded for 13th February. Joseph’s grave is at Assevillers New British Cemetery plot 1V.A.9, France. This cemetery was made after the Armistice by the concentration of graves from the battlefields of the Somme and from other burial grounds.

The information on this page was compiled by Steve Billings.