Joseph was one of seven children, Ralph Burdon Mather, [born 1894], Ada Burdon, [born 1896], Matthew Burdon, [born 1897], Isabel Mather, [born 1899], Gibson Mather, [born 1903] and Alice May [born 1908].
Joseph was a miner at the Marsden/Whitburn Colliery from August 1919 till May 1925. He volunteered on the 15th July 1925, for 12 years, [8 years with the colours and 4 years with the Reserve], Royal Air Force, at South Shields. Age 20 years, and 29 days. 5 feet 5 inches brown hair, grey eyes, fresh complexion with pinhead birth mark. Aircraft hand Group 5. His service number 370206.
Joseph was given embarkation leave on the 28th February 1928 to 25th March 1928.
Enlisted at the Training Depot on the 15th July 1925, as an aircraftman 2, transferred to the 24th Squadron at Kenley on the 8th November 1925 arriving on the 18th November. He completed a Musketry course at Uxbridge from the 13th November 1925 to the 18th November. Joseph again completed another Musketry course in September 1926. Then from the 3rd February 1927, Joseph was now at RAF Cranwell still with the 24th Squadron. He took an LAC education course and was graded 'B'.
Joseph was then based at RAF Manston from the 14th August 1928.
Received his First Good Conduct Badge on the 15th July 1928. This was later withdrawn on the 11th September 1929. Then restored on the 19th March 1930.
On the 8th January 1929 to Digby. This is where the No. 2 Service Flying Training School, was located. RAF Digby was formed in Lincolnshire on the 30th June 1924, but ceased operations on the 29th July 1933 and disbanded on the 15th December of that year.
Joseph was absent from the 31st August 1929 and was in Civil Custody awaiting trial. He was released on the 18th September 1929.
Joseph was now in the 'E' Reserve Pool from the 14th July 1933, and based at Uxbridge. Joseph married Gladys M. Coulson in 1936. Promoted to Temporary Corporal on the 20th December 1939. Then in April 1940 he was promoted to a Temporary Sergeant.
Then promoted to a temporary Flight Sergeant from the 1st May 1942.
He was awarded a 2nd Good Conduct Badge from the 3rd March 1940, and a third Good Conduct Badge on the third March 1945.
Joseph was then at H.Q. No. 50 (Training) Group, which was formed on the 1st February 1939 by renaming No. 26 (Training) Group and transferring it to Reserve Command. It was transferred to Flying Training Command on the 27th May 1940, and disbanded 31st May 1947.
He was transferred to no 5 Fighter Group at Staffordshire.
In 1942, his Next of Kin was residing at 20 St Marnock Street, Kilmarnock, Aryshire.
Joseph Thomas Mather Burdon died on the 14th July 1979.
Research :Cynthia Kent