Mr Joseph Alfred Gunn ¹ was born in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, England in the Spring of 1882.²

He was the son of Joseph Smee Gunn (b. 1855), a smith and farrier, and Alice Dudley Bentall (b. 1855), both natives of Essex who had married in West Ham in 1879. 

He had two sisters, Alice Laura (b. 1880) and Dorothy Edith Elizabeth (1895-1979, later Mrs Bryan Grater).

On the 1881 census, the year before Joseph's birth, his parents and elder sister Alice were listed as living at "Batterdale" in Hatfield, Hertfordshire. With the family still present at this address by the time of the 1901 census Joseph was listed elsewhere as a visitor to his paternal aunt Elizabeth's home, 269 High Street, Stratford Marsh, Essex and he is described as a grocer's assistant; when he commenced a career at sea is not known. 

Joseph was not present for the 1911 census when his parents were listed as residents of Pond Hill, Hatfield, Hertfordshire.

When he signed-on to the Titanic on 4 April 1912 Gunn gave his address as 23 Bridge Road, Southampton. His previous ship had been the Oceanic and as a second class steward he received monthly wages of £3, 15s.

Joseph Gunn, who was unmarried, died in the sinking and his body, if recovered, was never identified.

His estate, valued at £180, 18s, 1d was administered to his father on 8 July 1912.

Both Joseph's parents continued to live in Hatfield; his mother died in 1916 and his father in 1935.

His sister Dorothy died in Devon in 1979.

Joseph Alfred Gunn has a memorial plaque   in Hatfield.