Charles Boynton

Royal Garrison Artillery

Personal Details

Born:  1 April 1880 in Upper Whitley, Huddersfield, Yorkshire and baptised on 1 May 1880 at St. John the Evangelist Parish Church, Lepton, Yorkshire.

Family:  He was the second of three children born to James Boynton, a coachman, and his wife Catherine (nee Cole). His siblings were James and Agnes. He married Florence Hubbard  on 16 February 1909 at St. Paul`s Parish Church, Foleshill, Coventry, Warwickshire. No children can be found for the marriage.

Residence: By the time of the 1891 Census James, his mother (now a widow) and his siblings had moved from Yorkshire to  Longton Terrace, Foleshill, Warwickshire and then to 394 Great Heath, Coventry, Warwickshire by 1901. Ten years later he and his wife were living at 67, Cowbridge Road, Pontyclun, Llantrisant, Glamorganshire, Wales. At the time of his enlistment in 1915 and on the Spring Absent Voters list his address was given as 97 Alkington Road, Whitchurch, Shropshire. On the 1939 Register he was living at 47 Holland Street, Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire.

Employment:  Charles was described on the 1901 and 1911 Censuses as a bottler for a mineral water company. On his Attestation he gave his occupation as a mineral water manufacturer owning his own business. By 1939 he stated that he was a mineral water bottler.

Died:  Quarter 1 1973 in Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire, aged 92.

Military Details

Regiment:   Royal Garrison Artillery

Rank:   Gunner

Service Number:   103263

Date of Enlistment:  23 June 1916

Date of Discharge:  29 May 1919

Reason for Discharge:  Demobilisation

Medals and Awards

Charles was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal, and Victory Medal).


Campaign Medals

Great War History Hub Whitchurch Shropshire Medals Front Image

The British War Medal (also known as 'Squeak') was a silver or bronze medal awarded to officers and men of the British and Imperial Forces who either entered a theatre of war or entered service overseas between 5th August 1914 and 11th November 1918 inclusive. This was later extended to services in Russia, Siberia and some other areas in 1919 and 1920. Approximately 6.5 million British War Medals were issued. Approximately 6.4 million of these were the silver versions of this medal. Around 110,000 of a bronze version were issued mainly to Chinese, Maltese and Indian Labour Corps. The front (obv or obverse) of the medal depicts the head of George V. The recipient's service number, rank, name and unit was impressed on the rim.

The Allied Victory Medal (also known as 'Wilfred') was issued by each of the allies. It was decided that each of the allies should each issue their own bronze victory medal with a similar design, similar equivalent wording and identical ribbon. The British medal was designed by W. McMillan. The front depicts a winged classical figure representing victory. Approximately 5.7 million victory medals were issued. Interestingly, eligibility for this medal was more restrictive and not everyone who received the British War Medal ('Squeak') also received the Victory Medal ('Wilfred'). However, in general, all recipients of 'Wilfred' also received 'Squeak' and all recipients of The 1914 Star or The 1914/1915 Star (also known as 'Pip') also received both 'Squeak' and 'Wilfred'. The recipient's service number, rank, name and unit was impressed on the rim.





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