Joseph Devlin

Joseph was born in Longford around the 15 May 1885 in Stafford Yard, Longford; his father Patrick was a painter. He married Alice McLoughlin in St. Mel's Cathedral in May 1914. 

Prior to military service, Joseph trained as a painter. He initially joined the 6th Rifle Brigade, the local militia, before enlisting with the Royal Irish Fusiliers originally on the 18 October 1904 and primarly served in Ireland, particularly in Armagh and Dublin, and worked as a cook with his regiment for most of his service. Joseph transfered to the Army Reserve in October 1907 and returned to the painting trade. He was called up for active service when the war broke out, however he was discharged from the British Army on the 28 September 1914 due to disability and being no longer fit for military service; he received a Silver War Badge. 

Joseph enlisted on the 8 August 1922 with the new National Army and served in the Infantry and Engineer's Corps (No 20803) as a painter; he is included in the National Army Census of the 12th/13th November of that year. However, he was discharged in December 1922, on health grounds*

Link to Civil Record of Birth (ensure web address ends in .pdf); link to probable Civil Record of Marriage; National Army Census 1922 entry; advertisement for painting services, Longford Leader, 3 April 1926;