Joseph was born in Silverdale, Staffordshire. In 1891 and 1901 the family were still living in Staffordshire and the census indicates that Joseph had brothers John William, George and Albert and a sister named Ethel. Joseph's father was an iron pudler so he no doubt later moved to 10, Stone Row (Jacksdale Street),  Jacksdale, with his wife Elizabeth to take up work in the local Codnor Park Forge.

Joseph Raybould enlisted in 1914 and was sent to France February 1915. Two of his brothers,  John William  and George Raybould also served.  His brothers survived, but tragically  Private Joseph Raybould did not return, being killed in action when serving in the trenches, near Souastre, France on Wednesday 31st January 1917, aged 22 years.

He is buried at Foncquevillers Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France in Plot III C. 1, only a few feet away from L/Sgt Harry Joseph Howard, also a 1/5th Btn Sherwood Forester, killed on the same day and buried in Plot III C 4. Both Pte Raybould and L/Sgt Howard are listed on the Jacksdale & Ironville Memorials. Foncquevillers was later adopted by the city of Derby.

Joseph's brother Sgt John William Raybould survived and was awarded the Military Medal for meritorious work in the battlefield in France. In 1917, a local newspaper of the day reports that "Sgt J. Raybould has been wounded in several places and is now at home, discharged from service. During a severe engagement with the enemy, this gallant soldier continued for over four hours the heroic task of saving his comrades lives." The Hospital Committee presented Sgt J Raybould with a beautiful sideboard, suitably inscribed with a brass tablet - subscribed for by the local inhabitants". Mr Joseph Tinsley, Chairman of the Committee and Mr Lacey, (Vice-Chairman), made the presentation. Mr & Mrs McLaren, Mr JH Williams and Mr Cartledge gave addresses. Sgt Raybould's wife and child, and his mother and father, Benjamin & Elizabeth were present and responded to the addresses.

During the Summer of 2001, Judith and Terry Kelsall, of Mackworth, Derby, were kind enough to take photographs of both Joseph Raybould's and L/Sgt Harry Howard's graves whilst attending the 85th Memorial Service to commemorate, the special connection which exists between the village of Foncquevillers and the city of Derby.

Note: The Jacksdale Memorial also lists a Private G Raybould who also served during WW1. We would welcome any information, which may enable us to connect Private G Raybould with Sgt J Raybould and Private Joseph Raybould.