Joseph Windlow was born on August 11, 1904, in Houghton, Durham, England, to Jane Crumpton, age 21, and William Windlow, age 32. He was baptised on 30 Aug 1904 at Houghton-le-Spring, Durham, England.

In the 1911 census taken on 02 Apr 1911, he was recorded living in Houghton le Spring, Durham with his mother and siblings.

England Heatwave 1911

Joseph Windlow no doubt suffered along with other residents of Houghton Le Spring, Durham when an oppressive heatwave ravaged all of England from July through September 1911. His brother, William, died on April 4, 1919, in Houghton Le Spring, Durham, England, when Joseph was 14 years old. He had another brother, Eli and one sister, Jessica