Joseph Charles Quin was born in Cobden, Victoria c March 1885. He was the son of John and Sarah Quin. On enlistment on 12 February 1916 he gave his occupation as labourer. He had been employed for the previous three years by Bennie, Teare and Co., suppliers of oil engines which had a wide variety of applications in the agricultural industry. He nominated his mother as his next of kin, his father being dead. He was appointed to the 14th Battalion, 17th Reinforcements.
He embarked for Egypt on 4 April 1916 aboard HMAT Euripides when he gave his address as 537 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne, then five houses east of Nicholson Street. He sailed from Alexandria 6 August 1916 arriving in England on 28 August. He then proceeded to France on 30 September 1916. He was transferred from the 14th Battalion to the 59th on 27 November 1916. He was killed in action on 14 December 1916, less than a month later. He left a small amount of savings and no will. An accountant applied on his mother’s behalf to have the money paid to her saying that ‘he was acting in this matter simply to help the mother, who is illiterate, and it is not a business transaction.’ She was granted a pension of £2 per fortnight.
Charles’ name is inscribed on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, Picardie, France