Joseph Smith was the youngest son of James and Esther Smyth. He was born on 4th January 1888. The family lived in Beagh, Maghera, County Londonderry. Joseph enlisted and served with Leinster Regiment in India. Private Joseph Smyth was serving with the 2nd Battalion of the Leinster Regiment when he died of wounds in Belgium on Friday 13th August 1915. He was 27 years old.
Birr Cross Roads Cemetery is located 3 Km east of Ieper town centre, on the Meenseweg (N8), connecting Ieper to Menen. From Ieper town centre the Meenseweg is located via Torhoutstraat and right onto Basculestraat. Basculestraat ends at a main crossroads, directly over which begins the Meenseweg. The cemetery itself is located 2.5 Km along the Meenseweg on the right hand side of the road.
