PUGH Josiah Charles

1911 Census
25 Victoria St, Worcester
Josiah C Pugh, head, age 27, Coal Contractor New Gaslight Co, born Claines, Worcestershire
Agnes Pugh, wife, age 26, married 5 years, 2 children both still living, born Ombersley, Worcestershire
Gwendoline Doris Pugh, daughter, age 4, born Claines, Worcestershire
Thomas Charles Pugh, son, age 2, born Claines, Worcestershire

Josiah Charles Pugh, occupation: soldier, resident Victoria Street, Claines, died in Newtown Hospital, St Martins.  He was buried in consecrated ground in Astwood Cemetery on 5th April 1917, aged 33 years.  The ceremony was performed by the Reverend L.J. Ford.

Source for additional information: Register of burials in Astwood Cemetery, entry no 39498, available on microfilm at Worcestershire Archives.

Appears in the Worcester/Worcestershire Roll of Honour Book for army casualties located in Worcester Cathedral.

Great Western Railway Roll of Honour:
Josiah Charles Pugh, Incandescent Lineman, Worcester, Age 33, Private, 5th Essex Regiment, died 31/3/1917.

Source: The Great Western Railway in the First World War by Sandra Gittins, 2010.

Casualty unidentified on GWR database. Death reported in the Great Western Railway staff magazine, reference 1918/08/124. Photo in the Great Western Railway staff magazine, reference 1918/12/179.

The following information has been researched by Geoff Hill:
There is no Medal Roll Index Card for Josiah Pugh under the service no given on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission database (251980). There is an index card for a Josiah Pugh, 5th Essex Regiment with the service no 6426.

Josiah Charles Pugh of 25 Victoria Street, Barbourne attested on the 8th December 1915 for service in the Army Service Corps. He was enlisted on the 23rd September 1916 into the 2nd/5th Essex Regiment (Territorial Force). He is recorded for Home Service from 23rd September 1916 €“ 2nd March 1917. His medical notes say that he was suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis, accentuated by pneumonia, not as a result of military service. He was discharged at Harrogate 2nd March 1917 €œbeing no longer physically fit for war service€. He seemingly returned to Worcester and did not recover.