| Regimental number | 1218 |
| Place of birth | Gulgong, New South Wales |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Occupation | Engine driver |
| Address | Meekatharra, Western Australia |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 28 |
| Height | 5' 7.125" |
| Weight | 140 lbs |
| Next of kin | Sister, Mrs E McCarthy, Holyoake, Western Australia |
| Previous military service | Nil |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Blackboy Hill, Western Australia |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 32nd Battalion, D Company |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/49/1 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A2 Geelong on |
| The 32nd Bn (Headquarters, Signallers, A, B, C, and D Companies) embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on two ships, HMAT A2 'Geelong', on 18 November 1915, and HMAT A13 'Katuna', on 24 November 1915. The Embarkation Roll does not distinguish between these ships, and it is therefore not possible from the Embarkation Roll to ascertain on which ship an individual embarked. | |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A13 Katuna on |
| The 32nd Bn (Headquarters, Signallers, A, B, C, and D Companies) embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on two ships, HMAT A2 'Geelong', on 18 November 1915, and HMAT A13 'Katuna', on 24 November 1915. The Embarkation Roll does not distinguish between these ships, and it is therefore not possible from the Embarkation Roll to ascertain on which ship an individual embarked. | |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Private |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 32nd Battalion |
| Fate | Killed in Action |
| Place of death or wounding | France |
| Date of death | |
| Age at death | 29.4 |
| Place of burial | No known grave |
| Commemoration details | V.C. Corner (Panel No 5), Australian Cemetery Memorial, Fromelles, France |
| Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial | 120 |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Western Front Disembarked Suez, ex 'Geelong', 18 December 1915. Found guilty, Ismailia, 4 February 1916, of overstaying leave from noon until 1630 hours; awarded 1 day confined to camp. Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 17 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 23 June 1916. Posted missing, 20 July 1916. 'Prisoner of War German list dated 4/11/16 received by Wounded and Missing Enquiry Bureau', Australian Branch, British Red Cross Society, 24 November 1916, show that 'identification marks found on the Prisoner of War are inspected by the General War Bureau and shown in the lists as under:- DEAD' 'Identification disc received from Germany', 13 March 1917. 'No particulars afforded except that soldier is deceased. To be reported KILLED IN ACTION, 20/7/16' on the authority of Assistant Adjutant General, ANZAC Section, War Office. Translation of German message dated 25 October 1919, 'Iden: Disc handed over by Intelligence Officer of 6th Army Hd. Qrs. through Central Office for Deceased Estates. 12/10/16. Australian Soldier W. E. Boyce, Iden: Disc 1218, 32nd Btn., fell in the neighbourhood of Fromelles on 19/7/16.' Red Cross File No 481204 has statement from 1390 Pte H. WHITEHOUSE, 32nd Bn (patient, Fairlawn Hospital, Honor Oak Road, London SE, England), 16 October 1916: 'Informant states that he saw W.E. Boyce killed on July 19th at Armentieres they went over the parapet about 7 o'clock in the evening it was just getting dusk, they were in the same platoon and Informant knew him well. The ground was lost, and they all retired in the morning.' 'The above name appears on German list dated 4-11-16.' 'Identity disc recd. from Germany and despatched to N/K 20.6.17.' Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, BOYCE William Edwin
Red Cross file 481204 |
Postal Address:
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Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
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