West Lancashire WWI hero who had to appeal for army pension

Feb 14 2013 Ormskirk Advertiser

SERGEANT Joseph Haverty was born in Burtonwood in 1875 and was buried at St John’s church in Burscough.

He enlisted on September 4 days short of his thirty first birthday joining the Reserve Cavalry Regiment at Tidworth Barracks.

He was posted to the Dorset Regiment’s Depot June 13 before joining the 6th Bn and entering France on December 23 1915.

His qualities for soldiering were evident, becoming a sergeant quickly.

On December 16 he came back to ‘Depot’ to attend an officer cadet unit, and returned to his regiment as sergeant in May 17.

The 6th Dorsets fought in most of the major engagements on the Western Front. Haverty as Platoon Sergeant would have seen action.

On October 18 he was admitted to the stationary hospital at Wimereaux, near Calais suffering from severe gas poisoning and burns,and later moved to the Bury St Edmonds hospital.

His service papers testify that he was returned to ‘Depot’ on Dec 10 1917 while also saying that he was admitted to Edgbaston Hospital on that day.

Sergeant Haverty was still listed as being at battalion strength despite being in hospital, which was unusual.

He left Edgbaston on April 10 1918 to a dispersal hospital, and remained there until Feb 5 1919.

He was discharged as Class Z ‘reserve’ in March 1919.

There is evidence suggesting he recovered from gastritis, and he had to appeal to obtain an army pension.

He died in Burscough on June 14 1920 while living in Orrell Lane. His beloved wife Marion survived him for 33 years never remarrying.

A gallant soldier who had to fight authority to gain recognition for his suffering.