Born in Alberton, Victoria and a cordial manufacturer by trade, Joseph Ignatius Andrews was 18 years and single when enlisted on the 15th of January 1918 in the 1st General (Victorian) Reinforcements, Australian Imperial Force, with the rank of Private, Number 50003, and was listed as returned to Australia on the 5th of April 1919. His Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A34 'Persic' on the 21st of March 1918. On the 13th of December 1916, he joined the Unit Machine Gun Coy Reinforcements at the Machine Gun Depot as private and was discharged at Seymour on the 17th of February 1917 after 74 days service being under 18 years of age. Joseph Ignatius Andrews was admitted to hospital on the 25th of March 1918 suffering from bronchitis and again admitted on the 15th of May 1918 for Influenza. Allotted to the 21st Battalion on the 31st of May 1918. And later transferred to the 22nd Battalion France. On the 5th of April 1919 returned to Australia per 'Warwickshire' per England. Finally discharged on the 19th of July 1919.