James McKenzie BOYLE

Regimental number24331
Date of birth27 June 1881
Place of birthSt George, Queensland, Australia
ReligionPresbyterian
OccupationElectrician
Marital statusMarried
Age at embarkation34.9
Height5' 11.5"
Weight154 lbs
Next of kinWife, Mrs F Boyle, 53 Wellington Road, Kilbirnie, Wellington
Previous military serviceServed in the Queensland Bushmen, South African (Boer) War; also in Moreton Bay Regiment, resigned.
Enlistment date6 April 1916
Place of enlistmentTrentham
Rank on embarkationSergeant
Unit nameNew Zealand Expeditionary Force, 17th Reinforcements, Otago Infantry Battalion, D Company
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Wellington on board Pakeha on 23 September 1916
Final rankSergeant
Final unit10th Company, 2nd Battalion, Otago Infantry Regiment
FateKilled in Action 12 October 1917
Age at death from cemetery records34
Place of burialNo known grave
Commemoration detailsTyne Cot Memorial (New Zealand Apse, Panel No 3), Zonnebeke, Belgium
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Parents: James and Mary Stuart Boyle; Wife: Frances Arbon (formerly Boyle), 164 Jackson Street, Petone; Wellington. Native of New South Wales, Australia
Medals

Military Medal

'During the attack on the Messines Ridge on the 7th June 1917, seeing some of the enemy in a trench to the right of the position of his company occupied, he rushed into the trench as they refused to surrender he cleared the trench with his bayonet. Later when both his platoon Officer and Sergeant were wounded he assumed command and by his gallant conduct under heavy shellfire set a fine example of cheerfulness to his men.'
Source: 'London Gazette'
Date: 16 August 1917

Other details

War service: Western Front

Embarked Wellington, 23 September 1916; disembarked Devonport, England, 18 November 1916, and marched into Sling Camp, and reverted to Temporary Corporal.

Qualified at Course of Instruction, 28 December 1916, and promoted Corporal.

Proceeded overseas to France, 1 August 1917; joined 2nd Bn, Otago Infantry Regiment, in the field, 28 February 1917, and posted to 10th Company.

Promoted Sergeant, 12 June 1917.

Awared Military Medal.

Detached to Summer Rest House, 29 July 1917; rejoined Bn, 13 August 1917.

Killed in action, 12 October 1917.

Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal
SourcesNominal Roll Vol. 2: Roll 41, p. 14
Archives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series 18805, File 22278147

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