Harry Joshua Green was born on 1 November 1889 in Marylebone, London, one of the 17 children of John Green (b.circa 1847) and Anna Jane Green née Harry (b. circa 1848). His birth was registered in the 4th quarter of 1889 in the Kensington Registration District, London.
He was listed as Joshua Green, aged 1 year, on the census that was undertaken on 5 April 1891. He was living in a three roomed property at 19 Chester Mews, St Pancras, London, with his parents and five siblings who were all described as scholars: Alfred William Green (1879-1960); Mary Gertrude Green (b.1881); Frederick Green (b.1883); Ada E. Green (b.1885) and Florence Hannah Green (1888-1978). His father was shown as a coachman - domestic servant.
He was again listed as Joshua Green, aged 11 years in the census that was compiled on 31 March 1901. He was residing at 4a Smeaton Road, Southfields, Wandsworth, London, with his parents and his two sisters: Ada E. Green and Florence Hannah Green. His father was still shown as a coachman.
On 16 July 1907 he enlisted as a Gunner in the Royal Field Artillery for 6 years with a further 6 years in the Army Reserve, service number 47393, using the name of Joshua Harry Green and giving his occupation as a gardener. On 21 September 1907 he was posted into the Royal Horse Artillery.
He was described as aged 22 years and a Gunner on the census return form completed by his Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Richard Stanley Ellis, on 2 April 1911. He was attached to 'F' Ammunition Column, Royal Horse Artillery, at Meerut, India. His parents were at this time recorded as residing at 47 Southfields Road, Wandsworth and on their census form his mother was shown as having given birth to 17 children but that only 9 were still alive.
At the end of his six years service he left the army and became a Fireman in the London Fire Brigade.
On the outbreak of World War One he was recalled to the Royal Horse Artillery and on 5 February 1915 he was appointed as an Acting Shoeing Smith.
On 15 July 1915 he married Ethel Reade (b.1884) at St Mary's Church, Kilburn, London, where in the marriage register he is shown as Harry Joshua Green, aged 27 years, a bachelor and a member of 'C' Battery, Royal Horse Artillery who was living at 71 Boundary Road, Kilburn, the son of John Green, a coachman, whilst his wife was described as aged 30 years and a spinster who was residing at the same address, the daughter of David Reade, a farm labourer. They were to have two children: Anthony Joshua Green (1919-1977) and Harry Wilfred Reade Green (1921-1970).
On 13 April 1917 he was promoted to Acting Farrier Sergeant but having been taken to hospital with an injury he was reverted on 20 April 1917 to Acting Shoeing Smith Corporal.
On 2 October 1917 he demobilised and released for the purpose of rejoining the London Fire Brigade. He was awarded the British War Medal 1914-1918 and the Victory Medal.
He was a fireman who was based at Shadwell Fire Station, whose death was registered as aged 31 years in the 4th quarter of 1920 in the Whitechapel Registration District, London.
He died on 1 November 1920, his 31st birthday, together with Firemen Alfred Best and John Coleman, from injuries sustained as a result of a gas explosion that occurred whilst fighting a fire at a rubber store at Lower Oliver's Wharf, Wapping, London. Their joint funeral service was held on 6 November 1920 at St Paul's Church, Shadwell, London and their at Fireman's Corner, Highgate Cemetery, Swain's Lane, London, N6 6PJ.
He is shown as "H. J. GREEN" on the London Fire Brigade memorial in Highgate Cemetery. He is also commemorated on the Firefighters National Memorial in Sermon Lane, London, EC4, on the , on the and on the . The has a short film of the funeral of all three of these firemen.
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
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