William De Boynton

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Mon, 14/12/2015 - 09:22

First Name:

William

Last Name:

De Boynton

Alternate Spelling:

DeBoynton

Mother's Name:

Mary (nee Pinden)

Father's Name:

George De Boynton

Date Enlisted:

Friday, April 23, 1915

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Corporal

Unit:

26th Battalion

Company:

B Company

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

1914/1915 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Saturday, July 29, 1916

Place of Death:

Poziere France

Cause of Death:

Killed in action

Details:

William De Boynton (Service No 476) was born in Drake, NSW about 1887. The family later moved moved to Berry, NSW. William was the first of 3 brothers to enlist. At the time he was a single 27 year old labourer.

He enlisted in Brisbane and embarked on HMAT A11 Ascanius with B Company, 26th Battalion on 24th May 1915. His enlistment was completed while on board the transport. After arriving in Egypt he left for Gallipoli on 4th September 1915 and saw service there until the evacuation. He was promoted to Corporal on 20th December 1915.

The unit arrived in France and soon after William was admitted to hospital with mumps but was able to return to his unit on 20th May 1916. On 29th July 1916 8 Platoon, B Company 26th Battalion were attacking at Pozieres, where William was killed when he was hit by an exploding shell.
.
He is buried in Courcelette British Cemetery Plot 111, Row B, Grave 15. William was the first of 3 brothers to enlist, the first to die, and is the only one to have a grave. His brother Francis (Service No 4544) was killed at Mouquet Farm just a week later on 9th August and Arthur (Service No 3132) was killed at Messines on 10 June, 1917.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, DE BOYNTON W