Joseph Spurrell enlisted in 1940 with the Royal Marines, Plymouth Divison. He served at Scapa Flow and on the Orkney Islands before being posted overseas to Suez, Egypt, for 18 months. He was then posted to India serving at Bombay, and Colombo in Ceylon. On return to Portsmouth he was posted to 'B' Troop of 30 Commando Assault Unit at Littlehampton. He deployed overseas with 30AU serving in Belgium, Holland, Brest France, Emden Germany, and Minden Germany.