Joseph Barnes was born in Antigua on 24th July 1867.
Joseph’s father died in a ship explosion and he assumed his mother was dead as he’d tried to write to her several times but never received a reply. Josephs’ only living relative was his brother who was working on a plantation in San Domingo.
Eager to earn a living and explore the world, Joseph made his way to England as a sailor on a ship called the ‘Ettrickdale’.
His records don’t state how long it took Joseph to get to England, but once he arrived he took on various jobs to support himself. All of his employers praised his “good character”, but despite his good references he eventually struggled to find work.
In July 1886, aged 19 Joseph went to Barnardo’s for help and was admitted to the charity’s care. He was admitted to the Youth Labour House, where he worked in exchange for a home and food.
In 1887 Joseph left Barnardo’s care, travelling to Canada and South Africa, where he worked as an attendant for a time. It’s not known exactly when he came back to London, but Joseph eventually came back to England and worked as a coal cart driver in the East End.
