Joseph HALSTEAD

05 October 1917

HALSTEAD – September 23rd 1917, killed in action on the Western Front, Sapper Joseph Halstead, formerly of Earby, aged 32 years.

05 October 1917

EARBY – KILLED BY BULLET FROM ENEMY AEROPLANE

News has been received of the death of Sapper Joseph Halstead, R.E., who was killed instantly on September 23rd by a bullet from a German aeroplane. He was 32 years of age and leaves a wife and seven children, the eldest of whom is nine, at 16, Red Lion Street, Earby. Before joining up Sapper Halstead was a sett-maker at Messrs. John Sagar’s Salterforth Quarries. He went out to France in January last.

In a letter of condolence to Mrs. Halstead, Lieut. E. Best writes:– “He was the sort of man any officer was proud to have in his section – dashing and fearless – and his memory will be ever green with us out here. He was laid away today in a cemetery behind the lines, and was given a military funeral. I can assure you that his grave will receive every attention.”

26 October 1917

EARBY – Benefit Dance

A benefit dance in aid of the widow and children of the late Sapper Joseph Halstead, 16, Red Lion Street, was held at the Albion Hall on Saturday evening. Vocal selections were rendered at intervals by Mrs. J. Pickup (Earby) and Messrs. Maurice Crowther and Harry Boothman, of Nelson. The nett proceeds amounted to £11.

08 February 1918

EARBY – Practical Sympathy

The public of Earby made a liberal response to Mr. Jack Williams’ annual appeal on Friday evening last at a benefit performance given in aid of Mrs. Joe Halstead, Red Lion Street, Earby, whose husband was recently killed in France, leaving a family of seven young children. The Weavers Institute, where Mr. Williams’ Company have been appearing for several weeks, was crowded, many being unable to gain admission, and as a result the sum of £15 has been handed over to Mrs. Halstead.