SAVAGE, Joseph Henry

Joseph Savage was the son of Selina Savage (later Kirton) of 14 High Town, Cradley. He was working in South Wales in 1914 and volunteered for the South Wales Borderers. He joined the 11th (Service) Battalion in the 38th Welsh Division. They went to France in December 1915 and were in the front line for the Battle of the Somme. They suffered heavy losses in the fighting for Albert in July and returned to the front nearly a year later for the Third Battle of Ypres. Private Joseph Savage had joined them by this time and was killed on the first day of this long battle during the fighting for Pilkem. He was 19 years of age and is commemorated on the Menin Gate, Cradley and Halesowen Memorials. His brother, William was killed at Gallipoli.