Personal Details

Born: 18 September 1900 in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Family: He was the youngest of six children born to Arthur Joyce, a turret clock maker, and his wife Jessie. Arthur and Jessie divorced and Arthur died in 1911, being buried in Whitchurch cemetery on 1 August that year. Horace married Harriet Louisa Holland Paul on 17 April 1928 in Queensland Australia; no children can be confirmed for the marriage. The book ‘Joyce of Whitchurch Clockmakers 1690 – 1965’ identifies that Horace met Corinne Rosalie Hall in the 1940s and together they had twins William Barnett and Corinne Sandra. The 1954 electoral register shows them married and living together in Swan Street, Shorncliffe, Lilley, Queensland; we must assume that Horace and his first wife had divorced.

Education: He attended Market Drayton County Grammar School between 2 May 1911 and 3 April 1912 followed by Whitchurch Boys’ Grammar School between 2 May 1912 and 5 April 1916.

Residence: In 1901 he was living at the family home, 40 High Street, Whitchurch; by 1911 he had moved to Great Haywood, Colwich, N. Stafford. When he was admitted to Market Drayton County Grammar School in May 1911 he was living in Station Road, Market Drayton, Shropshire; when he was admitted to Whitchurch Boys’ Grammar School in May 1912 he was living at 44 Station Road, Whitchurch. He emigrated to Australia between 1916 and 1928, settling in Queensland. In 1931 he lived in Alice Street, Maryborough, Wide Bay, Queensland, Australia. By 1934 he had moved to Balgownie House, Bourbon Street, Bundaberg, Queensland and in 1937 he lived at Bank’s , Bingern Street, Bundaberg. In 1943 he was living in Graham Street, Ayr, Herbert, Queensland; and in 1954 in Swan Street, Shorncliffe, Lilley, Queensland. In 1958 he was living at 32 Queen’s Road, Hamilton, Queensland.

Employment: When he left school in 1916 he joined Joyces Clock Makers as an apprentice. In 1928, and now living in Australia, he was a biograph operator; in 1934 a sound projectionist; in 1954 a biograph inspector and in 1958 a brass worker.

Died: 7 February 1962 in Queensland.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Air Force

Rank: Wireless Operator

Service Number: 28319B

Date of Enlistment: 7 August 1918

Date of Discharge: 5 December 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation