LIEUTENANT JOSEPH SENIOR
ROYAL FLYING CORPS FORMERLY WEST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT
9TH MAY 1917 AGE 24
BURIED: BAILLEUL COMMUNAL CEMETERY AND EXTENSION NORD, FRANCE
Pilot W McArthur, with his observer navigator Lieutenant Joseph Senior, had just shot down a German plane when they came under attack from three more. Whilst twisting and turning to get away, Lieutenant Senior was shot through the stomach and had a finger smashed. Despite this he managed to keep on firing and they were able to get away and land safely. However, Senior's wound was mortal and he died in hospital that night.
Joseph Senior was one of the top scholars not only of Wakefield Grammar School but in the country. He was placed first in the entire country in the Oxford Senior Local exams, won an open scholarship to Clare College, Cambridge and graduated among the top six candidates in his year, winning not only the Owst Prize but Dr Green's Cup for General Learning. When the war broke out he was studying for his Civil Service exams.