Joseph Sewell was born 14 December 1894 at Fell Houses, Cockfield to John and Mary Sewell.  In 1891 the family lived at Lands Bank, in 1901 and 1911 at Ramshaw.  His father John was employed as a hauling engineman and 21 year old Joseph as a colliery engineman at West Tees Colliery, Ramshaw.  To date, the service record of Joseph Sewell has not been traced.