He was the son of Elizabeth Abbott, of 91, Adelaide St., South Shields, and the late Thomas Abbott. Joseph was educated at the Holy Trinity Boy's school from the 20th January 1908 to the 18th June 1909.
He was employed by the North Eastern Railway Company as a sheetman.
Joseph Johnson Abbott is remembered in South Shields on S86.039, S86.081 and S86.082 in which he is listed as serving on H.M.S. Dominion; on our List of Ships’ crews and on the North East Railway Memorial York
His name also appears on 'Victims of Piracy – Mercantile Marine Roll of Honour'