Joseph William King served during the Great War as William King. Soldiers Died in the Great War record that he was born in Ledbury, Herefordshire and at the time of enlistment was living at Pentre, Glamorganshire. It is very likely that he was working in coal mining. The 13th Gloucestershire Regiment were raised as a pioneer battalion in the Forest of Dean and many miners joined this unit.
On 18th November 1916, the Malvern News reported that:
“Mrs King of 2 Fair View Cottage, Upper Wyche has received a letter from a Major in the Gloucestershire Regiment, informing her of her sons death and expressing the deep sympathy of the officers, NCOs and men of the Company. On the 23rd October he was struck by a shell and he died later of his wounds. The Major writes: “Your son was a good soldier and popular with his comrades. He always went about his work in a cheery manner, showing a fine example to all, and it is indeed a sad blow to everyone when he was killed.”
