Joseph Hazlett was born the son of Samuel and Nancy Hazlett. He was born on 23rd September 1887. He was one of eight surviving children of a total of twelve. They were a farming family from Moneydig, County Londonderry. Joseph emigrated to New Zealand. Prior to enlisting he lived in an area known as Forty Trees. He enlisted in October 1915 at Trentham Military Camp, near Wellington. Private Joseph Bamford Hazlett was serving with the 2nd Battalion of the Otago Regiment when he was killed in action at the Somme on 15th September 1916.
Further Information
Joseph Hazlett was born the son of Samuel and Nancy Hazlett. Samuel Hazlett married Nancy Knox on 29th July 1875 in the district of Coleraine.
Joseph Bamford Hazlett was born on 23rd September 1887. He was one of eight surviving children of a total of twelve.
Family: Samuel Hazlett, Nancy Hazlett, Matilda Hazlett (born 23rd May 1876), Annie Hazlett (born 31st May 1877), Jane Hazlett (born 13th September 1878), Thomas Hazlett (born 14th May 1882), Robert Hazlett (born 30th June 1883), Samuel Hazlett (born 22nd February 1886), Barbara Hazlett (born about 1885), Joseph Bamford Hazlett (born 23/09/1887), Mary S M Hazlett 11 (born 29th July 1890), Hugh Brown Hazlett (born 29th July 1890), William Hazlett (born 23rd January 1892), Margaret Hazlett (born 1st April 1895)
Oddly, there is absolutely no record of his birth with GRONI, nor is he listed in any census.
The 1901 census does not list Joseph as living with the family at house 22 in Moneydig, Bovagh, County Londonderry. They were a farming family.
The 1911 census does not list Joseph as living with the family at house 14 in Moneydig, Bovagh, Londonderry. Samuel Hazlett was listed as a farmer and also a local Justice of the Peace (J.P.).
The family church was Moneydig Presbyterian Church and Joseph was baptised there on 4th December 1887.
School for the family was Moneydig National School. Joseph entered school on 3rd August 1897 along with his brother, Hugh Brown Hazlett. Moneydig National School would later be known as Moneydig Public Elementary School (circa 1908), then Moneydig Primary School.
Following his education, Joseph became a farm labourer, probably working on the family farm.
Joseph Hazlett was a member of Masonic Lodge No. 16, Kilrea.
At some stage, probably around 1910, a few of the children, including Joseph emigrated to New Zealand.
He lived in an area known as Forty Trees.
Prior to enlisting Joseph lived in an area known as Forty Trees and worked on a farm for Mr T S Smith.
Joseph Bamford Hazlett enlisted on 29th October 1915 at Trentham Military Camp, near Wellington. He gave is next of kin as his father, living in Moneydig.
Following training, his regiment sailed from Wellington, New Zealand on 8th January 1916 and reached Suez, Egypt on 8th February 1916. He embarked for France on 9th April 1916 from Alexandria.
Private Joseph Bamford Hazlett was serving with the 9th Reinforcements, 'D' Company, 2nd Battalion of the Otago Regiment when he was killed in action at the Somme on 15th September 1916.
Private Joseph Bamford Hazlett has no known grave and is commemorated on Caterpillar Valley (New Zealand) Memorial.
Private Joseph Bamford Hazlett is also commemorated on the Roll of Honour at Masonic Lodge 16, Kilrea, Co. Londonderry.
Private Joseph Bamford Hazlett is also commemorated on the Roll of Honour at Moneydig Presbyterian Church..
Joseph’s Hazlett’s brother-in-law, Sergeant Hyde, also served. He was awarded the Medaille Militaire for devotion to duty and work done under enemy shell fire.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 25th November 1918: French Decoration for Portadown Soldier (brother-in-law of Private Joseph Hazlett)
Sergeant Hyde, Parkmount, Portadown, has been awarded the Medaille Militaire for devotion to duty and work done under enemy shell fire. He has been mentioned in despatches for valuable assistance rendered to the artillery on 21st March, the first day of the German offensive. Sergeant Hyde is a son of Mrs Hyde, West Street, Portadown, and a son-in-law of Mr Samuel Hazlett, J.P., Moneydig, Kilrea.
The CWGC record Private Joseph Bamford Hazlett as the son of Samuel and Nancy Hazlett.
The book ‘Garvagh and Aghadowey Heroes 1914-18’ lists Joseph on pages 38 and 39.
