Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Joshua Head was the son of Joshua and Janet Head of Bundaberg, Queensland, and the husband of Botila Margaret Head, of Brisbane, Queensland. They were married during May 1915, only nine months before Joshua enlisted.  A daughter was born in April 1916, a few months before Joshua left for overseas during August 1916. His wife gave his occupation as a carpenter.

Joshua’s younger brother, 27155 Gunner Robert Head of the 8th Australian Field Artillery Brigade would later die of wounds in France on 12 May 1918, aged 23.

Another brother, 1073 Pte. Ernest Head enlisted with the 42nd Battalion during 1916 and was returned to Australia during May 1919.

Joshua was with the 4th Pioneer Battalion on the Western Front for about two months before his death in Belgium on 20 October 1917. Though he was buried in the field no details ever reached his family and his grave was subsequently lost.

The Bundaberg Mail reported his death in November 1917, “…. The fine young soldier, who was about 25 years of age, was the second eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Head, old and esteemed residents of Bundaberg, and was one of three brave brothers on active service. He was married some two years ago to a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Olsson, of the Federal Farm, Rosedale, and his wife and little daughter were resident in Brisbane, awaiting his return from the war. The late soldier, like his father, was engaged la the timber-getting business, and was a fine stamp of the Queensland bushman….”

The Bundaberg Mail also reported in December 1917, under the heading ‘Brother’s Sad Discovery.’

Mrs. J. Head, Marlborough Street, South Bundaberg, has received letters from two of her soldier sons, concerning the death of her third son, Corporal Joshua Hood, who was recently killed in action. As will be seen from his letter, Gunner Robert Head, who had not seen his brother for eighteen months went across to where he was located, only to find that he had. been killed and buried that morning. Gunner Head writes from Belgium, under date 21st October, as follows: Dear Mother.-No doubt you have received the sad news by cablegram of the death of our dear Joshua who was killed on the 20th October. I came down from the lines and got half a day off to go and see if I could find out where Joshua was and when I got to his company, they told me he had been killed that morning and had been given a proper burial. He was hit near the heart with a piece of shrapnel and only lived five minutes. He was buried at a place called Ypres.

I then enquired about his belongings as that was all I could do and his Officer told me they had been packed up and ready to send home to Australia. It completely broke me up Mother as I had not seen Joshua since leaving Australia 18 months ago. I know it will be hard for you all at home to hear this; also, his wife and little girl. Well mother as soon as I knew this I went and found brother Ernest and told him the sad news. It was very hard for us but we went and saw his grave. They had put a little cross on it and his number. One comfort you will know is that he never suffered and died while doing his duty for us all….”  From your loving son Robert Head.

Lieut. Wild, Officer commanding the 4th Pioneers Belgium, writes under date 20th October, to Mrs. Joshua Head, Brisbane, concerning her husband’s death as follows, -: “I very much regret to inform you that your husband was, killed this morning whilst on duty in the forward area. You will no doubt have heard by cablegram, but as your husband’s platoon officer I am just writing you a few lines to offer you my deepest sympathy in your great loss. Corporal Head was one of my best men. He had not been with the regiment long, but from the first day he joined us he stood out among the rest as a first-class soldier and carried great influence for good amongst his section of men. It may be some little comfort to you to know he was killed instantly. I can only hope that time and knowledge that he died for the Empire in a just cause will to some extant compensate you for your great loss, If I can give you any further information I shall be pleased to do so.”

Joshua Head’s wife, Botila, never remarried and passed away in Brisbane during 1994 at the age of 102. His daughter, whom he never met, born in 1916, died in 2014 at the age of 98.