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Kā Kōrero o Waikirikiri Selwyn Stories

Rifleman John M. O'Boyle

Description

TitleRifleman John M. O'BoyleSummaryA soldier in World War One. DescriptionJohn was born at Doyleston on 11th February 1876, eldest son of James and Mary Anne O’Boyle. Before enlisting he was working as a farm labourer for H. Gardener at Irwell. He was very well-known in the district and had many friends. He had previous military experience having served as a non-commissioned officer for five years with the Ellesmere Guards. However he had previously been rejected for war service owing to deafness and short sightedness. Nevertheless when conscription had been introduced on 1st August 1916 , his name had come up in the 24th Ballot. He was given a farewell along with G. Robb and the speaker noted that he had lived in Doyleston all his life and if anything was going on, he was always willing to help. He was now going to do his bit for his country and they were sure he would do his duty wherever he went. They were presented a set of military brushes each. It was noted that when volunteers were asked for to fill up the shortage in the 23rd Reinforcements Privates Robb and O'Boyle had promptly responded and partly owing to the training they had had in years past they had been able to transfer from the 24ths to the 23rd Reinforcements and so complete their training in a shorter period than usual. He was 5ft 3in tall with a fair complexion, blue eyes and brown hair.

John enlisted at Leeston on 14 December 1916 and was assigned to the New Zealand Rifle Brigade, Reinforcements, G Company. He embarked from Wellington for England on 14 March 1917 on board the Ruapehu. He arrived in Devonport on 10th June and a day later marched into Sling Camp where he was attached to the Reserve Battalion. He left for France on 6th July, arriving at Base Depot in Etaples on 10th July. He was posted to the 1st Battalion, Canterbury Regiment, 2nd Company and joined them in the field on 10th August. John was killed in action on 1st October 1917, aged 41. The Regimental history reports that the 1st Canterbury Battalion left Coulomby early on the 25th and arrived at 4 p.m. on the 28th in the Ypres North area, to the west of the town and close to the Ypres-Poperinghe railway. The following night the 1st Canterbury and 1st Otago Battalions took over the right subsector of the front line, the 1st Canterbury Battalion having its headquarters in Pommern Castle, a thousand yards south of the Wieltje-Gravenstafel road. The history notes that the brigade held the line, but with some casualties. John’s body was buried near where he fell 160 yards west of Pommern Castle, between Pommern Castle and Baak Farm. However in the much fought over ground his gravesite became lost and his body could not be retrieved after the war and his name is inscribed on the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing, Ypres. In New Zealand John is remembered on the Leeston Plaque of the Ellesmere County War Memorial and the Doyleston War Memorial.
First NameJohnLast NameO'BoyleFamilySingleSon of James and Mary Anne O’BoyleDate of Birth11 February 1876Place of BirthDoylestonDate of Death1 October 1918Place of DeathBelgium Cause of DeathKilled in action Age at Death41

Connections

CollectionSoldiers of Selwyn World War OneImageDoyleston War MemorialLeeston and Ellesmere County War MemorialMore InformationAuckland War Memorial Cenotaph

Military Service

Memorial or CemeteryDoyleston War MemorialEllesmere County War MemorialOccupation before EnlistingFarm Labourer Regiment or ServiceNew Zealand Rifle BrigadeCanterbury Infantry RegimentEnlistment Details14th December 1916 at LeestonService Number44143Embarkation14th March 1917Place of EmbarkationWellington TransportRuapehuReinforcement23rd ReinforcementsCountryNew Zealand

Attribution

Researched ByL. M. Seaton

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Rifleman John M. O'Boyle