Also Served: Joseph William McEgan - Joseph William MCEGAN
23, Highfield Place, Prescot Private 2717, 5th Bn., South Lancashire Regiment Later renumbered to 240771 (March 1917) and serving with the 6th Bn of the regiment.
Joseph was the younger brother of Thomas Patrick McEgan and is mentioned in letters to the Prescot Reporter which are on Thomas' page. Although shown as aged 13 at the time of the 1911 census, when he attested to the army on 10th September 1914, he gave his age as 19 years 9 months, further stating that he worked as a Collier.
He remained in the UK until going to France with the Battalion on 12th February 1915.
On 4th October 1916 he was promoted to Lance Corporal, but in June 1917 he lost ths stripe and rank when he was found guilty of "An act to the prejudice of good order and military discipline".
Joseph was transferred to the 6th Battalion of the regiment in August 1917 and went to join them in Mesopotamia on 12th August that year. In September of 1917, he was appointed to the role of Acting Sergeant and was posted to No 7 Prisoner of War Company with the Labour Corps.
Joseph returned to the UK on 25th March 1919 and was discharged on 11th November 1919. His address on discharge was 25 Highfield Place, apparently next door to the house he lived in when he attested!!
He was entitled to the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal, receiving these medals in 1921.
The 1939 National register recorded Joseph at 63, Shaw Lane, Prescot with an occupation of "Cable Layer - telephones"
Joseph died in Prescot in 1972, aged 74 Ref. No.:
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