Boycott

Corporal 28984 William Boycott, Dukes Cottage, Halghton
Army Training Reserve TR/4/21667 in the 51st Cheshire Regiment 2^nd King’s Shropshire Light Infantry Regt. No: 28984 (Acting Corporal) attached to 1st Herefords

His Flintshire Record of Service card has the following information:
“Served on active service with the 1/1^st Herefordshire Regiment on the Western Frontier [of Egypt].  Slightly gassed October 16^th 1918 at Menin, Belgium.  After returning from overseas, posted to 2^nd KSLI at Fermoy, County Cork, Ireland”.  

Also on card a regimental number 21667 is entered and deleted; likewise unit 51^st Cheshire Regiment.  His Medal Index Card shows he was first TR/4/21667 in the 51st (Training Reserve) Battn., Cheshires; then KSLI attached to the 1^st Herefords as  Acting Corporal. He was discharged from duties on 16 October 1919.

William was born 12^th March 1899 in Overton. His mother’s name was Ann (nee Tudor) and his father was Isaac Boycott. He started Hanmer Infant School in May 1905 and the following year was transferred to the Boys School. He left just before his 14th birthday in February 1913.

In 1911, he was with his mother & grandmother at The Dukes, Halghton On the postcard below, posted in 1914, he is referred to as Willie:

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He married Violet Jane Evans from Penley, Sept 1937. Violet had been a teacher at Madras Primary School for over 17 years.
 In 1939 census, they are living at Mill House, Little Green, Bronington and William is working as a Clerk for a Corn Merchant.
He died August 1967 at his home at Redbrook and his death announcement in the Whitchurch Herald provides a few more details of his life.

In July 2019 I had the pleasure of meeting with William’s only son Gerald, who provided me with more information & photos: