Joseph William Lefever was born on 3 July 1896 in Haggerston, the third of the seven children of Joseph William Lefever (1862-1936) and Jessie Winifred Lefever née Rood (1864-1930). He was baptised on 26 July 1896 at St Mary's Church, Haggerston, and the baptismal register shows his family living at 65 Pearson Street, Haggerston. His father's occupation was recorded as a marble mason.
The 1901 census shows that he was living at 67 Pearson Street, Shoreditch, with his parents, his elder sisters Jessie Mary Lefever (1891-1976) and Daisy Frances Lefever (1894-1972), together with a younger brother William George Lefever (1898-1951). The 1911 census states that he was an errand boy residing at 31 Forston Street, Shepherdess Walk, Hoxton, with his parents, both sisters and three younger brothers including Edward Thomas Lefever (1902-1980) and Varley John Lefever (1905-1992). Also at this address was his half-brother, Henry Cooper Bolton (1888-1962) the son of his mother and her previous husband Charles Bolton (b.1862).
He enlisted as a Private in the 5th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment in Shoreditch and had been promoted to Lance Corporal (unpaid) in 'D' Company when he was killed in action, aged 20 years, on 9 August 1916. As he has no known grave he is commemorated on Pier and Face 11D on the Thiepval Memorial, Rue de l'Ancre, 80300 Thiepval, Somme, France.
On 29 January 1918 his mother was sent his army effects totalling £3-0s-8d and on 30 August 1919 his £9-0s-0d war gratuity to her home at 65 Cropley Street, New North Road, Hoxton. He was posthumously awarded the 1914-1915 Star, the British War Medal 1914-1918 and the Victory Medal.
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
