A COVENTRY soldier who lost his life on the first day of the Battle of the Somme is to be remembered with a special service on the eve of Armistice Day.
Joseph Turton Cleaver was serving in northern France with the 1st/7th Royal Warwickshire Regiment when he lost his life.
His body was never found.
In tribute to one of Coventry’s fallen heroes, the Bishop of Coventry – the Right Reverend Dr Christopher Cocksworth – will lead a special service broadcast by BBC Coventry & Warwickshire from 11.30am on Thursday, November 10.
The service will see the dedication of a special tree to Joseph’s memory in the shadow of the Cenotaph – and will remember all those who lost their lives in war.
Local schoolchildren and the Vice Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands – Colonel George Marsh TD – will be in attendance for the special service which is open to the public.
Joseph Cleaver’s relative Bob Bristow will also be in attendance as broadcaster Vic Minett tells the 31-year-old’s story between 9am and midday during her mid-morning breakfast show.
The dedication came about after Vic travelled to Albert in France to mark the centenary of the Battle of the Somme with a live broadcast from the battlefields.
Military historian Jon Cooksey was along Vic during the broadcast – and the story of Joseph Turton Cleaver moved her to tears.
Incredibly, Bob Bristow was listening to the programme.
He called the show in disbelief and was connected live to Vic in France.
The pair later met in the BBC Coventry & Warwickshire studio.
Vic Minett said: “There is something incredibly moving and ghostly about the battlefields of the Somme.
“When I heard Joseph’s story, something about the ordinariness of his life and the tragedy of this death many miles away just moved me to tears.
“When I met up with Bob we wanted to do something that felt like we were almost bringing Joseph home and the planting and dedication of this tree felt like the most appropriate way of doing this.”
Supported by the Royal British Legion and the Birmingham Pals, the planting of the tree was made possible courtesy of a kind donation from the Coventry Leofric Lions.
Youngsters from Howes Primary School and Stivichall Primary School have been studying Joseph’s story as part of their WWI history lessons – and they will lay wreaths at the service.
Mr Bristow said he was amazed at the way the service has turned out following the random selection of Joseph’s name during the live Somme broadcast.
He added: “From the first random selection of Joseph’s name by Vic, to Vic then telling me that she would get the tree planted in the memorial park – it amazes me.
“To have the Vice Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands and the Bishop of Coventry in attendance for our Joseph is simply incredible.
“The fact that its taking place during the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme makes it even more special.”
The service to honour Joseph’s life and those of others who lost their lives in action will take place at 11.30am on Thursday, November 10, at War Memorial Park in Coventry.
