Joseph William Roberts, Mercantile Marine Reserve, was born on the 31st of December 1889 Liverpool, to Joseph and Annie Roberts (née Kelly) of 10 Sidney Road and 226 Bedford Road, Bootle. He was the first of their eight children. Both of his parents were born and raised in Liverpool.

When the 1901 census was taken Joseph and his family were at 184 Ince Green Lane, Ince-in-Makerfield, Lancashire and his father was working as a labourer in the coal mine. 

By the time the census was taken in 1911 the family were at 85 Northumberland St Wigan. His father was working as a plate layer in an iron works and Joseph was a labourer in an iron foundry. Joseph then served his time as a plumber with with Morris S.R. Henshaw and Sons, Colquitt-street.

Joseph is buried in the mass grave in St Mura’s Churchyard Fahan.

A LAURENTIC HERO.
Joseph Roberts, son of Mr. Joseph Roberts, of 226, Bedford-road, Bootle, who lost his life on board the ill-fated ship H.M.S. Laurentic, had served on her as plumber for about two years and a half. He acted in the same capacity on board H.M.S. Oceanic, and narrowly escaped with his life when she was lost. He was in No. 9 boat of the Laurentic when she went down, and it was adrift for 23 hours before it was picked up. During that time he was the life of his mates in distress, and he died about 15 minutes before they were picked up. The deceased served his time with Morris S.R. Henshaw and Sons, Colquitt-street. He will be sadly missed by a large circle of friends in Liverpool and Bootle.
Evening Express, 13th February 1917

Joseph Roberts is commemorated on the Bootle Civic Memorial in King’s Gardens on Stanley Road, Bootle.

Sources:-
http://www.sefton-digital-archive.org
http://www.sefton.gov.uk
Beyond the War Memorials http://www.beyondthewarmemorials.chezrobertsservices.com
Census Census Returns of England and Wales 1891, 1901 and 1911. The National Archives of the UK
National Archives  – Royal Naval Service Records
General Register Office England and Wales  www.gro.gov.uk
http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk