Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
William Boyd, one of 10 children of whom only 9 survived, was the eldest of 7 brothers and had 3 younger sisters. His father Joseph Henry Boyd was born, August 26th 1868 in the district of Morpeth where he was baptised, February 11th 1869. At the age of 22, in 1901, he was still living with his parents, John Chapman and Mary Ann Boyd who had now moved to 8, William Street, Hebburn. During the 1st quarter (Jan/Feb/Mar) 1894 Joseph Henry was married in the district of South Shields, Northumberland to Dorothy Ann Pigg born at Hebburn in 1872, William was born 3rd quarter (Jul/Aug/Sep) 1894 and over the next 6 years Dorothy gave birth to a further 4 children, Mary 1895, John Chapman, August 26th 1896, Joseph 1899 and Elizabeth in 1900. In 1901 they were living at 57 Dunston Street, Hebburn, Joseph Henry supported his family employed at the shipyard as an engine driver. They remained at Hebburn for a further 3 years and had another 3 children Ethel Chapman born March 13th 1902, Edward Rowell, December 6th 1903 and Ernest in 1906, before moving into 3 rooms at 32 Lucker Street, Lemington, district of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland. Their youngest sons Andrew and Walter were born February 16th 1912 and May 19th 1913, by 1915 they were living at 45, Beaumont Street, Westerhope, Northumberland.
William was almost 20 years of age when war was declared in 1914. He left his employment as a miner and enlisted November 1st 1915 at Gateshead then made his way to Newcastle-upon-Tyne, assigned as Private 76682 Royal Army Medical Corps. Three days later he joined his unit at Aldershot remaining in England until October 8th 1918 after which he departed to the Western Front via Southampton, October 9th arriving at Rouen the following day and posted to the 102nd Field Ambulance.
The Field Ambulance was a mobile front line medical unit, not a vehicle, manned by the men of the Royal Army Medical Corps, most of which were under the orders of a Division and responsible for the care of one of the Brigades of that Division. Never more than 600 yards behind the front line they assisted and ferried the wounded back to the Advance Dressing Stations and evacuated then to hospitals, various rest areas and sick rooms.
Having joined the 102nd F. A. in the field, October 16th 1916, attached to the 34th Division on the Somme at the conclusion of the battles they proceeded in 1917 to the Arras sector during the 1st & 2nd Battles of the Scarpe and the Battle of Arleux phases of the Arras Offensive, April 9th-May16th 1917. May 26th 1917 he himself was admitted to the 62nd Casualty Clearing Station suffering from trench fever and admitted to the 7th Canadian General Hospital at Etaples, May 29th. He was then sent to the Convalescent Depot at Etaples, June 10th joining the Base Depot at Rouen, June 15th 1917.
At the Base Depot Private Boyd was posted to the 93rd F. A. attached to the 31st Division. The 31st Division was not sent to Belgium during the 3rd Battle of Ypres as it was considered not to have recovered from its ordeal on the Somme. Private Boyd was given 14 days leave, November 26th-December 9th 1917 but there is no mention of him returning to England.
By the beginning of February 1918 the British Expeditionary Force was so stretched that surplus men were drafted to other units. March 28th saw the beginning of the German Offensive once again on the Somme. The 31st Division was in reserve but sent up two days later in the Ervillers and Ayette sector where they remained until being relieved March 31st.
While they were at rest the second phase of the German Offensive opened up commencing the Battles of the Lys, April 7th 1918 and the Division was called into action on the 11th, firstly near Estaires then at Hazelbrouck. Over the coming days the fighting continued until they retired May 14th and withdrew.
Private 76682 William Boyd Royal Army Medical Corps was wounded in action April 22nd 1918 and taken to the 15th Casualty Clearing Station at Ebblinghem where he died from wounds sustained that same day. He was interred at Ebblinghem Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France and is at rest grave II. A. 26. He was 23 years of age and single.
August 20th 1918 his mother received his personal belongings consisting of; letters, photos, cards, note book, 2 religious books, purse, badge, match box cover, whistle, mirror in case, belt, knife, 2 specs in cases, fountain pen, comb, disc, 3 wallets, air cushion. As per Private Boyd’s will all monies due to him were assigned to Dorothy Ann Boyd as sole beneficiary, also his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to her at 45, Beaumont Terrace, Westerhope, Northumberland.
William’s father commissioned at a cost of 9 shillings 4 pence an additional inscription to be added to his son’s military headstone, it reads, “Loved In Life Deeply Lamented In Death.”
Although John Chapman and Joseph Henry Boyd would also have been eligible to serve during WW1 no record have been found.
Joseph Henry Boyd died at Westerhope, February 5th 1940, aged 71 years and interred at St John Graveyard, Westerhope, Northumberland, Dorothy Ann Boyd nee Pigg died aged 78 years in 1950, registered at Northumberland South.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
William Boyd is remembered at Whorlton on W53.01
