Hull Pals Memorial Post. PRIVATE JOHN BOYES 11/1001. Born in January 1896, John was the eldest of three children to John and Mary Boyes of 12 St Thomas Walk, Scarborough. His father was a Policeman, and whether John Jnr was bound for the Force I do not know. He was living in Hull at 10, Devon Grove, Sculcoates Lane when war broke out and enlisted at City Hall joining the 11th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment, ‘The Tradesmen’, 2nd Hull Pals. John was killed in action on 2nd September 1916 as the campaign on the Somme dragged from summer into autumn with no end in sight; he is buried at Le Touret Military Cemetery, a young man of 20.
His death was reported in the Hull Daily on 28/09/1916, “Mr and Mrs John Boyes, of 10, Devon-grove, Sculooates lane, have received official intimation that their eldest son, Private John Boyes, East Yorks, was killed in action in France September 1st. Deceased, who was only 20 years of age, formerly worked for Holmes Tannery Sculcoates, where he had been employed since leaving school. His Company Commander, writes, “He was a good soldiers and had an absolute clean conduct record sheet.” Another son, Gunner, Frederick Boyes is with the Navy. John Boyes’ name is inscribed on the stone pillar of St Mary’s church, Sculcoates Lane, which is situated across the road from Devon Grove.
