Joseph Laverty was the son of James and Margaret Laverty. He was born in Tobermore on 8th December 1886. The family lived in Tobermore Town, County Londonderry. His father was a tailor. Joseph went on to become a National School teacher. Joseph married Gretta Diver on Omagh on 22nd July 1910. Gretta was a teacher too. Gretta died on 23rd July 1913, three years and a day after they were married. She was 26 years old. Joseph Laverty volunteered through Queen's University O.T.C. 2nd Lieutenant Joseph Laverty was serving with the 13th Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles when he was killed in action 16th August 1917.
The Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing forms the north-eastern boundary of Tyne Cot Cemetery, which is located 9 kilometres north east of Ieper town centre, on the Tynecotstraat, a road leading from the Zonnebeekseweg (N332). The names of those from United Kingdom units are inscribed on Panels arranged by Regiment under their respective Ranks. The names of those from New Zealand units are inscribed on panels within the New Zealand Memorial Apse located at the centre of the Memorial.
