ROBERTS, Joseph

Joseph Roberts was the son of William and Eliza Roberts of Edward Street, Langley, and in 1914 was living with his wife, Mary Jane, at 87 New John Street, Blackheath. He enlisted in the Warwicks and joined the 1/5th Battalion in the 48th (South Midland) Division. They were closely involved in the 1916 Battle of the Somme and in June 1917 they were in preparation for the Third Battle of Ypres. On the 9th August, when Joseph Roberts was killed, they were behind the front line but danger from shelling was continuous and this was probably the cause of his death. Private Joseph Roberts was 35 years of age and is commemorated on the Menin Gate, Blackheath and Halesowen Memorials.