Boast T T 2nd Lt 1st Norfolk Regiment
BOAST, THOMAS TOWNSEND, End Lient., 3rd (Reserve), attd. Ist (9th Foot), Battn. The Norfolk Regt., eldest a. of George John Boast, of New Mills, Stockport (late of Holt), by his wife, Mary Ann (-); &. Holt, co. Norfolk, 30 Oct. 1890; edue, there was a Bootmaker’s Manager volunteered for active service on the outbreak of war in Aug. 1914, but was rejected as medically unit; after a second unsuccessful attempt to join up in May, 1916, he was eventually accepted, and enlisted in the Norfolk Regt. & Nov. following: served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from 7 March, 1916; returned home to train for a commission 21 Feb. 1917, and was gazetted 2nd Lieut. Ist Norfolk Regt. 1 Ang. following joined his battalion in France in the following Sept., where he saw much fighting: proceeded with his regiment to Italy in Nov. of the same year, but subsequently returned to France in April, 1918, and was killed in action by a sniper, after fulfilling a most successful and gallant act, capturing a position and number of prisoners. at Neuville, near Cambral, 30 Sept. 1918. Buried in the British Military Cemetery. Neuville Bourjonval, south-west of Cambral. His Major wrote: Your husband was one of my best officers, always cheerful under any circumstances, thoroughly efficient in all his work, and one of the nicest fellows I’ve ever met. All the men had the very highest opinion of him, and would follow him anywhere frequently I have overheard them talking about him, and all the splendid things he had done with the regiment. It is a sad loss to us all, and his death is a bitter grief to us,” and a Private: He was always one of the best of our officers, and always did his best to look after the welfare of his boys.” Another also wrote: He was a fine example to us all, and he would never send one of us where he would not go himself.” He . at Banbury, 6 July, 1918, Doris Adelaide (20, Southam Road, Banbury), 2nd dan. of William Bashette.