b. 10/07/1878 Ramsey, Isle of Man. d. 21/06/1963 Whitehaven, Cumberland.
DATE OF EM ACTION: 11/05/1910 Wellington Colliery, Whitehaven, Cumberland.
Joseph was born on 10th July 1878 on the Isle of Man, the son of Joseph Sewell and Catherine Lucas (nee Kaneen). He was baptised on 26th July 1878 in Ramsey. At some point, the family moved onto the mainland and settled in Whitehaven, Cumberland. At the time of the 1901 Census, he was living with his brother, and they were both working at the Wellington Colliery. In 1903, Joseph married Frances Theresa McKinney in Whitehaven, and tbey had a son and three daughters. Tragically, Frances died in 1913, aged just 31, and Joseph also lost his only son, aged 11, the following year, as well as his father. Joseph remarried to Sarah Isabella, and he continued in the mining industry. He and Sarah, who was 12 years his junior, had no children of their own, and lived in Whitehaven for the rest of their lives. Joseph died on 21st June 1963 aged 84, and was buried in Whitehaven Cemetery.
EM CITATION:
In addition to the names which appeared in the London Gazette of the 22nd July, The King has been pleased to award the Edward Medal of the Second Class for gallant conduct in connection with the Whitehaven Colliery disaster to—
William James Mullholland, Hewer, Wellington Pit.
Joseph Lucas, Hewer, William Pit.
James Taylor, Deputy, Ladysmith Pit.
BURIAL LOCATION: WHITEHAVEN CEMETERY, WHITEHAVEN, CUMBERLAND.
Ward 5 – Section O – Grave 576
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.
