246926 L/Sgt. Joe Metcalfe British Army 2nd Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry from:Farsley, Yorkshire (d.6th July 1918) Having long had an interest in the First World War, when I came upon a wonderful, large, oak framed photograph of a WW1 soldier at a car boot sale, I decided to buy it and try to find out who he was. The photograph had the original backing on, and when I removed this, the name Medcalfe was written on the back. Through locating the identify of his cap badge, and his sergeant's stripes, I carried out some internet research and found that his name was Joe Metcalfe (sometimes spelled Medcalfe) and that he had belonged to the 2nd Battalion, KOYLI. He was on the Farsley war memorial as having died on 6th July 1918.
After further research through, among other sources, the Commonwealth Graves Commission, I found out where he was buried, and visited his grave in Beauvoir-Wavans Cemetery in Northern France. It is a beautiful, rural location, and it was a very moving experience to place some flowers there. I also found out some of his history, including where he lived, who his family were, and what he had done before the war. Although not a relative, I have always felt a strong connection with this young man who gave his life before he had a chance to really begin it. His photograph still hangs on a wall in my house.
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