Joseph was a member of the R.A.F. ground crew staff and was based in the U.K. throughout his time serving in the armed forces.  Ground crew were essential members of the R.A.F. throughout the war as for every pilot that took a plane up into the air, several ground crew were needed to ensure that plane could actually be flown safely.  They were responsible for any mechanical or electrical parts to an aircraft and also for making sure there were munitions aboard her; they were also required to ‘patch up’ planes betweens missions or sorties.

          Generally speaking ground crew held lower ranks than flyers, with the most junior ranks being known as ‘erks’ (the rank was officially known as Aircraftsman) but were held in as much respect as the airmen.  It was generally recognised how much was owed to these men in keeping the R.A.F’s planes airworthy and although there a was a better chance of survival for ground crew than for airmen fatal accidents still occurred on a non too infrequent basis.

          It is most likely that this is what happened to Joseph as his body was returned to Filey for burial.  He was married to Sarah and was the son of Joseph and Edith Parrish.