Gunner 1843 Joseph Prosser Hall, 17 Battery, East Lancs Brigade, Royal Field Artillery was born on the 17th of June 1877 at Shrewsbury where he was baptised at Holy Trinity Church on the 27th of July, the son of Arthur Bliss (1854 to 1911) and Ann Cadwallader (1851 to 1896). In 1849 Arthur had married Mary Beddoes who died in 1902, the couple had eight children. Presumably the couple divorced (?) as in 1876 he married Ann Cadwallader; she died in 1896, the only child being Joseph. Arthur was not single for long as the following year Jane Gertrude Gurney. The couple had five children, two of which died in infancy.
The 1881 census finds him with his family at Great House (?), Shrewsbury, the home of his uncle Abraham Bliss, aged 22 a carpenter and aunt Ann aged 28.
By 1891 he had returned to his parental home in Shrewsbury. Arthur, aged 36, was a railway painter born at Acton Seat, Shropshire. Ann aged 40 born at Ludbury North, Shropshire. Joseph aged 13 is the only child recorded.
In the 1901 census he was at 32 Longden Coleham with his widowed aunt Mary Bliss aged 76 born Stretton, Shropshire. Joseph is employed as a house painter.
On the 29th of June 1901 he married Blanche Alice Short (1874 to 1962) at Shrewsbury.
The 1911 census finds the couple at 13, Vane Street, Patricroft Lane, Eccles, Lancashire. Joseph is a hall painter. Blanche aged 36 was born at Liverpool. The couple have been married for nine years and had produced four children, one of which died in infancy.
On the 19th of September 1914, at Eccles, Joseph enlisted into the Manchester Regiment, service number 6181. He had previously served with the Shropshire and Staffordshire Field Artillery (Territorial Force) (time expired). He joined the 13th Battalion at Ashton Under Lyme the same day.
His service was very short as he was discharged on the 12th of December under paragraph 392 III (c) Kings Regulations = 'not likely to become an efficient soldier'. Following a medical examination he was found to have a deformity, viz. A double hallux valgus - more commonly known as bunions and was recommended for discharge.
Undaunted, Joseph enlisted into the Royal Field Artillery. On the 17th of September 1915 at Preston, Sussex, he died of a cerebral haemorrhage gratuit (a form of stroke).
Blanche received a war gratuity of £2-11-10d. He is buried Forest Row Burial Ground, East Sussex
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