Information about birth

Year of birth:
1888
Place of birth:
Islington, Middlesex, England, United Kingdom

General information

Profession:
Bricklayer

Army information

Country:
England, United Kingdom
Force:
British Expeditionary Force
Rank:
Private
Service number:
13680
Enlistment date:
16/07/1915
Enlistment place:
Holloway, Middlesex, England, United Kingdom
Units:
 —  The Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment), 1st Bn.  (Last known unit)

Information about death

Date of death:
24/09/1917
Place of death:
Black Watch Corner, Zonnebeke, Belgium
Cause of death:
Killed in action (K.I.A.)
Age:
29

Memorial

Tyne Cot Memorial
Panel: 114A

Distinctions and medals 2

British War Medal
Medal — 01/03/1920
Victory Medal
Medal — 01/03/1920

Points of interest 3

#1 Place of birth
#2 Enlistment place
#3 Place of death (approximate)

My story

Joe was born around 1888 and was the son of Jospeh and Emma Hare, of Islington, Middlesex. He married Lavina Gertrude Miller and worked as a bricklayer in Finsbury Park before enlisting.

William joined up in July 1915 and served in the Middlesex Regiment, 1st Battalion, part of the 98th Brigade, of the 33rd Division. From September onward the Division participated in the Battle of Passchendaele and on 26 September 1917 it was to attack the hamlet of Polderhoek. On 24 September the 1st Middlesex moved into the frontlines between Polygon Wood to the North and the Menin Road to the South. Joe’s Company took up positions on the left flank at Black Watch Corner. While the relief was taking place the German artillery targeted the 1st Middlesex. One platoon of “B” Company took a direct hit and the Company lost one man, another ten men were wounded by the blast.

Private Joe Hare was killed in action on 24 September 1917. He was possibly the man of “B” Company, who was killed by the German shell. Joe left behind a wife and three children. He has no known grave and is remembered on panel 114 of the Tyne Cot Memorial.

Files 1

Sources 6

"Passchendaele. The Day-by-Day Account", McCarthy C., London, Uniform, 2018, pg. 89-90.
Sources used
"The Die-hards in the Great War : a history of the Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment) 1914-1919, compiled from the records of the Line, Special Reserve, Service and Territorial Battalions", Wyrall E., Uckfield, Naval and Military Press, pg. 124-125
Sources used
Ancestry
https://www.ancestry.com/search/
Further reference
CWGC
https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/838478/hare,-joe/
Sources used
The Long, Long Trail
http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/
Sources used
War Diary Middlesex Regiment, 1st Bn.
http://www.nmarchive.com/
Further reference