Mr Joseph Charles Fillbrook was born in Truro, Cornwall, England in early 1894.

He was the son of William Fillbrook (b. 1868), a mason, and Catherine Vincent (b. 1866). His father was native to Truro whilst his mother was Canadian-born. They were married in 1893 and would produce six children, of whom Joseph was the eldest. His siblings were: Edward John (1895-1933), William Arthur (1897-1954), George (1900-1974), Rose Hetta (1902-1983, later Mrs Cyril Champion) and John (1903-1986).

Joseph first appears on the 1901 census living at the home of his maternal grandparents Edward and Mary Jane Fillbrook at 10 Victoria Square, Kenwyn, Cornwall and again on the 1911 census with his now widowed grandmother at Williams Row, Calenick Street, Kenwyn; he was described as a house painter by the time of the latter record and had been apprenticed as such since leaving school. His parents and siblings are listed on the 1901 census living at 8 Lemon Row and on the 1911 census at 16 Charles Street, Truro.

Joseph's uncle George Fillbrook (b. 1882), also a housepainter, had emigrated to Michigan in 1906 and settled in Houghton where he lived with his wife and children. It was he who encouraged Joseph to join him and who sent the money necessary for his passage.

Fillbrook boarded the Titanic at Southampton as a second class passenger (ticket number 15185 which cost £10, 10s). He was travelling to join his uncle in Hurontown, Michigan where he was reportedly to take employment in the Isle Royal Mine.

Joseph Charles Fillbrook was lost in the sinking and his body, if recovered, was never identified.

Joseph's parents continued to live in Truro; his father died in 1941 and his mother in 1950. His last surviving sibling John died in Truro in 1986.