Joseph Cecil Jobling

Rank 
Corporal
Regiment 
Honourable Artillery Company
Date of death 
16 June 1915
Age of death 
22
Address 
Grove Lodge
Grove Park
Wanstead
RED
E11 2DL
Address source 
1901 Census
Local memorial 
Cemetery / Memorial 
Belgium
Biography 

Joseph Cecil Jobling was born in 1883. In 1901, Joseph was living at Grove Lodge, Grove Park, Wanstead, with his father and sister. His father, also named Joseph, was a ship owner, and the family appear to have been very financially comfortable as they employed three servants.

In 1911, Joseph had moved to Northumberland where he was working as an engineer. Between 1911 and 1914, he moved back to Essex and married Elizabeth, with whom he settled down in Woodford.

In 1914, Joseph enlisted in the army with the Honourable Artillery Company as a Private and was later promoted to Corporal. He was sent to France on 29th December 1914 but was killed six months later in battle, on 16th May 1915. He is buried in the Hooge Crater Cemetery in Ypres, Belgium. Joseph was later awarded the 1914-15 Star and the Victory Medal posthumously.

At the time of his death, Joseph’s wife was living at Whyteleafe, Malford Grove, South Woodford, according to the Probate record.

Research by Redbridge Museum

Sources:

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Ancestry.com

Further research by Adrian Lee, Local Historian

Born in 1892 at Leytonstone, son of Joseph Christopher (Engineer and Manager of the Blackwall Iron Works) and Elizabeth Jobling. 1901: With his family at Grove Lodge, Grove Park, Wanstead. His father was described as a Ship Owner, and died a few years later on 10th November 1906. 1911: A Marine Engineer, Joseph was boarding at Wallsend. His will shows his home address as that of his mother, “Whyleafe” (later 86) Malford Grove, South Woodford.

In 09-14 having returned from Argentina, he joined the Honourable Artillery Company on 10th September 1914 at Armoury House, deploying to the BEF on 26th December 1914. He became a Lance Corporal on 20th May 1915, and Corporal on 14th June 1915. That same day the Battalion was told to prepare for their first action of the war - 3rd Division’s attack on Hooge.

At 02.30 on 16th June 1915 an artillery barrage signaled the beginning of the Battle of Bellewaarde, intended to straighten 1000 yards of the lines between Hooge Chateau and Railway Wood at Ypres. The Battalion was to occupy and restore captured trenches in “Y” Wood, and dig a communications trench.

The infantry advance began at 04.15, the objectives were quickly achieved and the Battalion set about their allotted tasks. They were subjected to an intense German counter-barrage and increasing machine gun fire, particularly “A” Company who were digging the trench. The Battalion held its ground until relieved by 1 Gordon Highlanders at 01.00 on 17th June 1915.

Over 200 casualties were sustained, including Joseph Jobling who was Killed in Action. He is remembered on the Wanstead War memorial and the Marine Engineers Memorial Liverpool.

Principal Sources:

Ancestry.com

FindmyPast.co.uk