No.757, Lance Sergeant, Albert BOYCE
Aged 26
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Albert Boyce was born in Soham on 27th October 1888 (Newmarket Q4-1888 3B:516), baptised in Soham on 21st November 1889, son of William and
Mary Ann BOYCE (née DIXON).
1891 census...Aged 2, he was at Station Road, Soham with his father William BOYCE [33] coachman, born Ruckland, Lincolnshire; his mother Mary Aged[33] born Botesdale, Norfolk; brothers John W [14] firewood chopper, born Rugby and Arthur H. [4] born Soham; sisters Jessie [12] born Cambridge, Jane E [10] born Soham and Annie [7] born Soham. 1901 census...Aged 12, he was at Angel Lane,Soham with his parents (the enumerator has reversed the places of birth, but it appears from subsequent records that his father was born in Botesdale and his mother in Ruckland, Lincs); brothers John W (gardener), Alfred C [9], Frederick G [7] and Frank [4]. The new siblings all born in Soham. 1911 census...Aged 24 he was a private in the 2nd Battalion, Rifle Brigade in Calcutta, India. His parents and brothers Alfred Charles, Frederick George and Frank (all farm labourers) were at Fountain Lane, Soham, where they still were on the pension card Brother Frederick enlisted in 1911, placed on Reserves and mobilised at the start of the war, an Old Contemptible, serving with the Northamptonshire Regiment, wounded but survived the war. |
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He enlisted in Bury St Edmunds. The records have him in a variety of ranks from Private up to Lance Sergeant. He is Corporal on his headstone but CWGC tend to use the substantive rank. He is also recorded as dying from his wounds and also as killed in action. The Ely Standard January 29th 1915 reported that he died 3days after being shot in the head in the trenches. He had served 10 years in the Rifle Briqade, 9 years in India and the rest in Winchester, Malta or Gibraltar. Looked upon as a crack shot of the regiment and had only recently been promoted to acting corporal He very likely was shot near Fromelles, his battalion being in billets on 18th, in the trenches from 19th to 21st near Rue Tilleloy, and the crossroads at Fauquissart , just north of Aubers. They were mending trenches and bailing out the flooded parts. His medal index card does not show the clasp for being within range of the enemy guns before 22nd November 1914. This is probably due to the fact that the clasp was not instituted until after the war, had to claimed and checked against records. If the soldier had died, very often the family either did not know of the clasp or had had enough of the war and just did not claim it. It is doubtful if this was the case here though, since his brother Frederick had claimed and been awarded the clasp. The local press reported:- RIFLEMAN ALBERT BOYCE We regret to record the death of Rifleman Albert Boyce,son of Mr. and Mrs. William Boyce of Station Road, Soham, which occurred in France on Friday as a result of a gunshot wound in the head received in the trenches. Rifleman Boyce had served 10 years in the Rifle Brigade, nine years being spent in India and the remainder of the time at Winchester (England), Malta and Gibraltar. Previous to his departure for the front he was given 48 hours leave on arriving in England from India. This time he spent with his parents, associating himself with many others of the town with whom he was intimately acquainted before joining the Army. He was looked upon as the "crack" shot of his regiment, and only a few weeks ago was promoted to the post of Acting Corporal. His extremely perilous duties, in charge of a machine gun, undoubtedly attracted the first attention of the enemy's snipers. Rifleman Boyce, keenly aware of his great danger, left home with a brave heart and remarked to his parents that "If I fall, remember that I have done my duty to my King and Country". This duty has been bravely done, and we join with our readers in extending our deepest sympathy to the bereaved parents and family. Rifleman Boyce was 26 years of age. A letter to Mrs. Boyce from the base hospital, giving information of her son's death, contains the following: "He lingered for about three days after he was struck (although the bullet passed through is frontal bone), but he was never really concious. Your son died heroically for his King and Country, and that fact will be stay to you in this time of your grief." The Newmarket Journal on 30th January stated :- SOLDIER'S DEATH "News was received on Tuesday by Mr. and Mrs William Boyce, of Station Road, that their son, Rifleman Albert Boyce, has died in France, from a gunshot wound in the head, received in the trenches. The tidings were conveyed in a letter from the Casualty Hospital, expressing deep regret at the sad occurrence. Deceased's commanding officer writes the Rifleman Boyce died heroically for his King and Country, and hopes this fat will support the relatives through their time of grief. Rifleman Boyce was for 10 years in the Rifle Brigade, having done service at Winchester, Malta, Gibraltar and in India.". The Cambridge Independent Press of 29th January 1915 reported :- Soham Man's Death ..We regret to record the death of Acting Corporal A.Boyce, son of Mr. and Mrs. W.Boyce of Station Road, Soham. His death was caused by a bullet wound in the head. Deceased was in charge of a machine gun, and in consequence was in the thick of the fight. It was only on Christmas Day he was promoted to Acting Corporal. The following communication has been received by Mrs. Boyce:- "Seven Casualty Clearing Station (it was at Merville), British Expeditionary Force,Jan.23rd 1915. Dear Mrs. Boyce - I am exceedingly sorry to have to inform you of the death of your son, Rifleman Boyce,which took place in the above station from a gunshot wound in the head, received in the trenches. He lingered for almost three days after he was struck, although the bullet passed through his frontal bone, but he was never really concious. Everything was done for him that could be done, but nothing could save him. His death will come as a great sorrow to his friends, I know, and one can only commend you all to God and His comforts. Your son died heroically for his King and country, and that fact will be a stay to you in this time of your grief. May God bless and support you.- Yours Sincerely, Fred E.Brown (C.F.I).P.S.- He is to be buried tomorrow(Sunday) in the cemetery near the above station, but unfortunately I cannot at present give you the name of the place. It may be supplied later.
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