Joseph was the son of Leslie and Annie née Ridy of Salford, Lancashire. Joseph’s father Leslie was born in Russia and worked as a clothier in Salford.

Joseph had two younger siblings, Rita and Arthur. Rita worked in a factory repairing tanks and was later conscripted into the ATS. After the war she married Leslie Greenburgh whose younger brother Peter also served in the RAF. Peter was killed in June 1944 serving in 39 Sqn and is buried in Greece and has a page on the website. Arthur trained as a doctor and after marrying Pamela Harris became a GP.

Joseph originally joined the Merchant Navy as a radio officer at the outbreak of war and when the ship was torpedoed he decided to join the RAF.

On 31 Aug 1943, Joseph was the bomb aimer on Wellington LN292 which collided with Wellington HZ531 also from 466 Sqn shortly after take off from RAF Leconfield and crashed at Goole, Yorkshire killing all the crew of both aircraft.

Both Wellingtons took off from Leconfield at around 00.13hrs and while climbing to await the main bomber force setting out across the North Sea both LN292 and HZ531 collided over the Goole area at 00.25hrs. Wellington HZ531 crashed onto farmland across the River Ouse from Goole while Wellington LN292 broke up and crashed into buildings in Goole; into Carlisle Street, 47 North Street and the Peacock Hotel on the corner of North Street. As a result of the crash in Goole large fires broke out in the town. In all ten airmen were killed as well as at least two civilians on the ground in Goole. National Archives of Australia On-Line Record A705, 166/38/261

Crew of LN292:
A/G, John Travers Eccleston, 147672
W/Op, Peter Arthur Frank Elliot, 656764
Pilot, John Leonard Harwood, 1390412
Nav, Geoffrey George Payne, 1579828
A/G, Sgt Thomas Daniel McCann RCAF R/154939
Sgt Joseph Noar.

Crew of HZ531:
W/Op, Edwin Henry Berry 410436
R/G, John Travers Eccleston 1476724
Nav, Newton Hasalby Fuss 407349
B/A, James Barber McLachlan 420353
Pilot, Mervin John Smart RAAF 416798

Civilian – Mrs Rose Alice Cook, died 47 North Street, Goole. Aged 37

Master James William Stanley, aged 12, died Peacock Hotel, North Street, Goole