Private William Boyle
The background of this man is not certain, but based on his stated age and birthplace, he appears to be the William John Boyle born on 23 April 1894 at Killyveagh, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, the first of two children of farmer Thomas Boyle and his wife Jane (née Dundas). Following the death of his mother and grandmother in 1906 and 1907 the family left the farm. At the time of the 1911 Census it appears that William was living as a boarder at Derrycoose, County Armagh, on the farm of Richard Greenway and his carpenter sons, and working as an apprentice.
Boyle enlisted in the North Irish Horse at Belfast on 11 June 1917 (No.2483). He was described as being 5' 5" tall, with a sallow complexion and sandy hair. He stated that he worked as a farm labourer.
He trained at the regiment's reserve base at Antrim, but was reported to have deserted on 17 September 1917. Whether he subsequently returned to duty is not known at present.
This page last updated 18 January 2024.