Joseph Bell Hampson M.M.

Died of Wounds on the 28/11/1917. Wounds received Bellevue Area

Joseph was originally with the 1/5th (Cumberland) Battalion Border Regiment (Service Number 2051). He arrived at Le Havre with the Battalion on the 26/10/1914. They were attached to Lines of Communication (Official History of the war mentions attachment to Jullundur Brigade in Lahore Division). On the 20/12/1915 they were part of the 151st Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division. Joseph was transferred to the 11th (Service) Battalion who were part of the 97th Brigade, 32nd Division when he fell. The Division was largely comprised of locally raised units often known as 'Pals'. It was a predominantly Northern Division, although locally raised units from Birmingham and Bristol were also in the structure. In November 1915 the Division received a warning order to prepare to sail for France. It remained on the Western Front for the remainder of the war. The 11th (Service) Battalion Border Regiment arrived at Boulogne on the 23/11/1915. FROM THE BATTALION WAR DIARY - BELLEVUE AREA, 24/11/17 - Battalion moved from HILL TOP FARM at 2.45pm, moved up to BELLEVUE via KRONPRINZ FARM. "A" and "B" Company's relieved the support and Reserve companies of the 2nd K.O.Y.L.I. "C" Company's relieved one Company of the 2nd MIDDLESEX at MOSELMACK, "D" Company relieved one Company of the 2nd WEST YORKS. Relief reported complete at 7.00p.m. 4 Other Ranks Wounded. BELLEVUE AREA, 25/11/17 - "A" and "C" Company's withdrew without relief onto "B" and "D" Company's dusk. "C" and "A" Company's lost heavily owing to a hostile barrage being put down in the front line area. Battalion was relieved by the 15th H.L.I. Relief complete reported at 11.30pm. The Battalion then moved to relieve the 17th H.L.I. In the left subsector via KRONPRINZ FARM. Relief completed 2.00a.m. 26/11/17. Capt. Benson, J. wounded, 2/Lt McDonald, J.R. Wounded, 2/Lt Duncan wounded. 12 Other Ranks Killed, 35 Other Ranks Wounded, 7 Other Ranks Missing. Joseph was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field. SEE PHOTOS x 14 FOR THE 11th BATTALION WAR DIARY FROM SEPTEMBER - NOVEMBER 1917. Joseph is also remembered on the Wigton War Memorial (see photos x 4). See photos for Joseph's Medal Index Card, the 1901 and 1911 England Census Records, 2 photos of Joseph, Wigton War Memorial x 2, Joseph's name on the Wigton War Memorial x 2, his Pension Records x 2, his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report x 2, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, Dozinghem Military Cemetery and the Border Regiment Cap Badge. Joseph's grave inscription reads "THY WILL BE DONE".