Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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   Lieutenant William James Boal D.C.M.
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Dated added: 01/01/2016   Last updated: 08/01/2020
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: HMS Kestrel, Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve (British Navy)
Date Of Birth: 24/12/1894
Died: 24/02/1942 (Died by accident)
Age: 47
Summary      
William James Boal was the eldest son of Robert and Jane Boal. He was born on 24th December 1894 in Belfast. He was one of six children. The family lived in Dromore, County Down and Lurgan. William enlisted in WW1 and served with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. He received a D.C.M. at the end of the war. He married to Sarah Margaret of Tobermore. William signed up in World War Two and he became a pilot with the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Lieutenant William Boal D.C.M. was working as a pilot instructor when he killed as the result of an air collision with another plane in England on 24th February 1942. He was 47 years old.
Further Information
William James Boal was the eldest son of Robert and Jane Boal. Robert Boal married Jane Hodgson on 6th December 1893 in the district of Banbridge.
William was born on 24th December 1894 in Belfast. He was one of eight children, six surviving.
Family: Robert Boal, Jane Boal, William James Boal (born 24th December 1894, Belfast), Robert Victor Boal (born 1st March 1896, Banbridge, Co Down), Mary Todd Boal (born 13th January 1898 Banbridge, Co Down), Arminella Boal (born 28th April 1904, Banbridge, Co Down), Sarah Elizabeth Boal (born 12th April 1906, Banbridge, Co Down), Eileen Muriel Boal (born 25th May 1910, Lurgan, Co Armagh).
The 1901 census lists William J as age 6 living with the family at house 9 in Ballynaris, Dromore Rural, County Down. His father was not present. His mother was a shop keeper.
His father was also in the army, and had served in Gibraltar, Egypt, Malta and South Africa.
The 1911 census lists William James as age 16 living with the family at house 6 in Queen's Street, Lurgan, County Armagh. William had left school and was working as a clerk in a linen warehouse. His father was a Assurance Assistant Supt.
William Boal enlisted in 1915.
Private William James Boal served with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, as a signaller (Service No 19903).
Private William James Boal was mentioned in despatches.
Private William James Boal received a D.C.M. for his contribution as a signaller whilst serving in St Quentin. He was granted the Award on 1st January 1919.
William was married to Sarah Margaret (a.k.a. Daisy) of Tobermore.
Reports suggest he may have worked as a manager at the Labour Exchange in Magherafelt.
William signed up in World War Two, but age was against him, so he became a pilot with the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve.
Lieutenant William Boal served as a pilot instructor with Fleet Air Arm at the Royal Navy Air Station, H.M.S. Kestrel, at Worthy Down near Winchester, England.
Lieutenant William Boal was working as a pilot instructor when he killed as the result of an air collision with another plane in England on 24th February 1942. He was 47 years old.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 7th March 1942: Ulster D.C.M. Killed
Mrs Sarah M Boal of Tobermore, a teacher in Magherafelt Parochial P.E. School, has received intimation that her husband, Lieutenant William J Boal, D.C.M., Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (A), a native of Belfast, and formerly of 227 Ravenhill Avenue, has been killed while on active service.
Remarkably his father attempted also to enlist in World War Two, but was rejected.
Lieutenant William Boal is buried in Draperstown (St. Columba’s) Church Of Ireland Churchyard in the family plot.
The CWGC record Lieutenant William James Boal as the son of Robert and Jane Boal. He is also recorded as the husband of Sarah Margaret Boal of Tobermore.
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Relevant Magherafelt Area Locations
No Location Region Location Notes Longtitude Latitude
1 Draperstown C.O.I. Churchyard Draperstown Buried in Draperstown C.O.I. Churchyard 54.794661 -6.783609
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1901 Census lists Boal family 1901 census lists William as age 6 living with the family at house 9 in Ballynaris, Dromore Rural, Down
2 1911 Census lists Boal family 1911 census lists William James as age 16 living with the family at house 6 in Queen's Street, Lurgan Urban, Armagh
3 Forum Discussion (Belfast) Details of Lieutenant William Boal D.C.M.
4 National Archives UK Medal card of 19903 Private William Boal can be purchased here (WW1)
5 RNVR Officers WW2 Brief details including date of award of D.C.M. (WW1)
6 Royal Naval Association Brave Report Issue 33 includes details of Lieutenant William Boal D.C.M.
7 St Columba's Church of Ireland Brief details and grave photo
8 War Graves Photographic Project Photo of Lieutenant William Boal D.C.M.'s grave can be purchased here
9 ww2 in Northern Ireland Brief details and grave photo
Magherafelt District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2014-2023