In From The Cold - 03.04.08

[Terry Denham]

CWGC added the following 'new' WW1 casualty to its Debt of Honour database today – Thursday 3rd April

Sjt Henry Almond BOYNTON

83404 Labour Corps

Died 31.12.18 Age 37

Buried: York Cemetery, Yorkshire, UK

NOT FORGOTTEN

This is a case put forward on 07.02.08 by GWF on behalf of member, stevem.

Steve can tell the full story. The grave has an acceptable private headstone but CWGC are arranging for it to be cleaned.

[Wayne Saillard]

Well done to all concerned.

Regards

Wayne

[Guest KevinEndon]

07/02/08----03/04/08 wow that was quick. Well done to everyone to move this one along so quickly. Well done Steve for spotting it.

Kevin

edited to say April.

[Terry Denham]

Kevin

Why are you still in March?

[Will O'Brien]

Raising a glass to the memory of Henry & another to Steve for all his efforts.

[stevem]

As always thanks to Terry for his help in getting Henry recognised by CWGC. The following details have been taken from Henry's service papers and the Yorkshire Herald.

Henry Almond Boynton enlisted in the West Riding Royal Garrison Artillery (WR RGA) on 6th April 1908 and was given the service number 30. He had previously served in the 1st East Riding RGA between 20th February 1900 and 5th April 1908. Henry was born in Sharrow, near Sheffield and was working for Leetham and Sons, York as a fitter, he was 24 years old on enlistment. His next of kin was listed as his mother Jane, living at 2 Belle Vue Street, York. He attended the annual training camps between 1908 and 1914 and was promoted to sergeant in 1912.

Henry was embodied 5th August 1914 as a sergeant in the WR RGA, he transferred to the 1/1st WR RGA on 1st July 1915 and went overseas with them on 9th July 1915 then served aboard until 7th April 1916. Henry was discharged “in consequence of the termination of his period of engagement under Para: 392, Sec. 21 Kings Regulation” on 14 April 1916.

Henry was recalled up for service on 4th October 1916, initially back into the West Riding RGA where he was given the service number 945. He was then posted to the Queens (Royal West Surrey) and then to Northamptonshire Regiment and went to France on 25th March 1917. He then transferred to the Labour Corps, with the service number 83404, on 13th May 1917 and served in the 140th Company, 911 Area Employment Company and the 832nd Area Employment Company. He retuned home on the 3rd September 1918 and was admitted to the 3rd Eastern General Hospital, Cardiff and remained there until he was discharged on 13th November 1918.

Henry was suffering from a gastric ulcer which was considered to be 100% due to active service. Henry died in Leeds Infirmary on 31st December 1918, his cause of death was recorded as gastric ulcer and femoral thrombosis. He was buried in York cemetery on 4th January 1919 following a service at St Mary’s Church, Castlegate, York.

Henry Boynton was awarded a Territorial Efficiency Medal in 1912 for his service in the West Riding Royal Garrison Artillery, a 1914/15 Star and British War and Victory Medals.

I will post a picture of the memorial after it has been cleaned.

Steve