PLANT, Joseph

Joseph Plant was married to Elizabeth and lived at 60 Park Lane, Netherend, Cradley. He volunteered for the artillery, possibly before 1914, and served in the 2/1st Warwick Battery of the Royal Horse Artillery. When the 1/1st went to France the 2/1st remained in Warwickshire for training purposes. Gunner Joseph Plant committed suicide on the night of the 21st May 1915, being decapitated by a train passing Maypole Wharf. An inquest jury returned a verdict 'Suicide while temporarily insane' and he was regarded as a victim of war. He was 31 years of age and is buried in the graveyard at the Unitarian Chapel, Netherton and commemorated on the Cradley and Halesowen Memorials.