Weaste Cemetery

Biographies of people buried between 1930 & 39

Joseph Hulmes (1892 - 1931)


Joseph Hulmes was a member of Salford Police Force and served his country during World War 1 in the Grenadier Guards, receiving several medals for bravery.


He was born in 1892 in Salford. His father was Robert Hulmes (b.1862 in Salford) and his mother was Mary Ann Hulmes (nee Creighton) who was born in 1863 in Scotland. They were married in St Clement's Church, Salford in 1882. In 1901, the family lived at 26, Mount Pleasant Street, Salford, where Robert's occupation was Coal Hewer. Joseph's siblings were Charles (b.1883 in Salford), Mary Ann (b.1888 in Salford), Thomas (b.1890 in Salford) and Robert (b.1895 in Salford).


The 1911 census reveals that Joseph was aged 19, a member of the 3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards, living at Grosvenor Road, Westminster, London SW. In July 1913 he joined Salford Police Force, but was called up at the beginning of hostilities to rejoin the Guards.


The Manchester Evening News of 12th February 1915 reports "DCM for Bravery. Salford Policeman's Gallant Act." It says that Superintendent Johnson has just received a telegram announcing that Corporal Joseph Hulmes has been granted the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Hulmes, who joined Salford Police Force in July 1913 went back to the 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards at the outbreak of war. He was wounded in the neck, and last week related his experiences to the Acting Chief Constable of Salford. He told Mr J A Crawford how, in a retreat, his officer, Lieutenant Ames was badly wounded. Although they were under heavy fire, Hulmes succeeded in getting his officer onto his back and carrying him a considerable distance to a place of safety. But for the gallantry of Hulmes, Ames would have undoubtedly lost his life. This is the brave action that brought the ex-policeman his reward.


According to the First World War Soldiers Medical Records, Sergeant Joseph Hulmes, Grenadier Guards, was admitted to Queen Alexandra's Military Hospital (ENT Dept) at Millbank, London on 28th April 1915. He was discharged on 1st June 1915. In the third quarter of 1916 Joseph married Mary A Foulkes (born 26th November 1893) at St George's Church, Hanover Square, London. They had two children Elizabeth Ellen, (born 24th October 1918) and Joseph Lionel, (born 26th August 1923). Joseph Lionel served in WW2 and was awarded a Military Medal. He died in 1947, aged 24.


The Salford Reporter records, "The death has occurred of Mr Joseph Hulmes, an ex- Constable of the Salford City Police, who died at his residence in West Ashton Street on Monday. He had served in the Grenadier Guards before joining the Police Force, but was called up to rejoin the colours in 1914. His army service during the war was marked by acts of bravery, which won him the highest distinctions and his decorations included the Distinguished Conduct Medal, the Military Medal, the Croix-de-Guerre and the Order of St George. He rejoined the Salford Police Force in 1918, but retired following ill-heath this year. He was just 39 years old and was buried in Weaste Cemetery on 18th September 1931." His wife Mary Annie died in 1976 aged 82.