Joe was a soldier stationed at the Snowcap tracking base in December 1986 at the time of the appearance of Earth's twin planet Mondas.
General Cutler ordered Joe, a sergeant and Tito to go investigate the First Doctor's TARDIS, as Cutler suspected the Doctor of being involved with the new planet somehow. When the sergeant found he couldn't open the "hut", he sent Tito and Joe back to get a welding torch. When they were inside, the Cybermen killed the sergeant and one of them took his jacket. When Tito and Joe returned, they found the Cyberman, but were attacked by two other Cybermen and killed. (TV: The Tenth Planet)