Thomas Boston was the eldest son of John and Margaret Boston. He was born on 22nd January 1893 in Belfast. The family lived in Ormeau, Belfast. His father was a Publican and Auctioneer. Thomas was worked as an apprentice to Linen Trade. Thomas Boston was working in Upperlands at William Clark & Sons Ltd before enlisting. Thomas Boston was an adjutant in the South Derry Volunteers and was commander of Upperlands U.V.F. Thomas enlisted originally with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. He later transferred to the Machine Gun Corps. Lieutenant Thomas Bolton was serving with the 10th Battalion of the Machine Gun Corps when he was had influenza in Cairo after the war had finished. He developed pneumonia and died on Christmas Day, the 25th December 1918, at the age of 25.
Further Information
Thomas Boston was the eldest son of John and Margaret Boston. John Boston married Margaret Murray on 5th October 1892 in Belfast.
Thomas Boston was their first child, born on 22nd January 1893 in Belfast.
Family: John Boston, Maggie Boston, Thomas Boston (born 22nd January 1893, Belfast), James Boston (born 2nd April 1894, Belfast), John Boston (born 23rd September 1895, Belfast), Victor Boston (born 21st February 1897, Belfast), Sarah Boston (born 6th June 1898, Belfast), Maggie Boston (born 27th November 1900, Belfast).
The 1901 census lists Thomas as age 8 living with the family at house 2.2 in The Mount, Ormeau, Belfast, County Down. John Boston was a publican.
The 1911 census lists Thomas as age 18 living with the family at house 76 in The Mount, Ormeau, Belfast, County Down. His father was a Publican and Auctioneer. Thomas was working as an apprentice to Linen Trade.
Thomas Boston was working in Upperlands at William Clark & Sons Ltd before enlisting.
Thomas Boston was an adjutant in the South Derry Volunteers and was commander of Upperlands U.V.F.
1914
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 23rd November 1914: Ulster Volunteer Force – 2nd Battalion, South Derry Regiment
Three companies of the 2nd Battalion South Derry Regiment, U.V.F., were inspected at Tamlagh O’Crilly on the evening of 21st November by Captain C E Stronge, D.L., commanding South Derry Regiment; Rev William Hogarth, second in command; and Mr T Boston, adjutant. Upperlands Company, under Mr Boston and Innisrush, under the Rev. J Donnelly, marched into Tamlaght, where the three companies (Tamlaght, Upperlands and Innisrush) were inspected. The men, who carried rifles, also wore putties, bandoliers, belts and haversacks, and presented a very smart appearance.
Thomas enlisted originally with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
1915
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 3rd April 1915: Upperlands
A special meeting of Tivaconavey L.O.L. No. 229 was held in the Orange Hall on Thursday evening, 25th March. In the absence of W.M. (Bro W S Canning), Bro John H Tomb was moved to the chair. One new member was initiated, and one candidate was proposed and accepted for initiation at the next meeting. It was unanimously decided to get a new flag for the coming 12th. On the motion of Bro Samuel Arbuthnot, a vote of thanks was passed to Bro Thomas Boston (who is about to take up a commission in the Ulster Division of Lord Kitchener’s army) for the capable manner in which he has performed his duties as chaplain for the past two years.
Thomas obtained his commission in the 12th (Reserve) Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers on 19th April 1915.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 20th April 1915: Upperlands Volunteer Departure for his Regiment
Yesterday morning a number of the local Ulster Volunteers, as well as Mr H J Clark, J.P. (commanding 2nd battalion), and many of the employees and officials of Messrs William Clark & Sons Ltd, assembled at Upperlands Station to give a hearty send off to Lieutenant Boston, who has recently been appointed Lieutenant in the 12th Battalion Inniskilling Fusiliers. Mr Boston was the U.V.F. Company commander at Upperlands until August 1914, when he was promoted adjutant to the 2nd Battalion South Derry U.V.F. Regiment. He was very popular with all about Upperlands, and in the Volunteer Force generally, and he carries with him the best wishes of all his friends for future success.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 24th April 1915: Upperlands
Mr Thomas Bolton, who has received a commission in the 12th Inniskillings, is the eldest son of Mr John Boston, The Mount, Pottinger, Belfast, and is only 22 years of age. Lieutenant Boston was educated at the Royal Academical Institution, Belfast. when the Unionist Clubs were revived at the commencement of the last anti-Home Rule campaign, he became a member of the Willowfield club. On his coming to reside in Upperlands, he joined the local club, and when the Ulster Volunteer Force was instituted, he was enrolled a private in the Upperlands Company. He soon rose in the ranks, being appointed half-company commander and afterwards company commander, while for a considerable time past he held the important office of adjutant of the 2nd Battalion South Derry U.V.F. Regiment. Lieutenant Boston did not spare himself in his efforts to make the force a success in this district. He did not confine his labourers to the local company but rendered valuable assistance to the neighbouring companies, having for upwards of a year acted as instructor of Tamlaght O’Crilly Company, and on several occasions took charge of the Kilrea and Lislea companies, at all times working with a single eye for the welfare of the Force in in South Derry. Lieutenant Boston was also a respected member of the Loyal Orange Institution, being connected with Tiraconavey L.O.L. No. 229, of which he has held the office of chaplain for upwards of two years. Since the inauguration by the Rev V M Corkey of a company of the Boys Brigade in the neighbourhood, he has given every assistance in his power to make it a success. His removal from the locality will be a great loss to the Ulster Volunteer Force, and it will be no easy task to find a substitute to take his place. His many friends in the district wish him every success in his new sphere of life. On Monday a large crowd assembled at the railway station when he was given a very enthusiastic send off.
1916
A local paper from April 1916 reports that he was home on leave and spent some time in Upperlands with friends. The report notes he has not yet been to the front.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 22nd April 1916: Upperlands
Lieutenant T Boston, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, who prior to the war was commanders of Upperlands U.V.F., spent the weekend with friends in this district. He has not yet been privileged to see the front.
Thomas transferred to the Machine Gun Corps on 2nd June 1916.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 11th August 1916: Regular Forces – Machine Gun Corps
The undermentioned temporary second lieutenant transferred from unit as under, with effect from date shown against retaining present seniority – Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers – T Boston, 2nd June 1916.
1917
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 26th January 1917:
Second Lieutenant T Bolton, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, now Machine Gun Corps, who obtained his commission in the 12th (Reserve) Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers on 19th April 1915, and transferred to his present unit on 2nd June 1916.
1918
Lieutenant Thomas Bolton was serving with the 10th Battalion of the Machine Gun Corps when he was admitted to 88th General Hospital, Cairo, Egypt on 15th December 1918, after three days of the symptoms of influenza.
Lieutenant Thomas Bolton developed pneumonia and died on Christmas Day, the 25th December 1918, at the age of 25.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 30th December 1918: Belfast Officer’s Death in Cairo
Lieutenant Thomas Boston, Machine Gun Corps, died of pneumonia in Cairo on Christmas Day. He was the eldest son of Mr and Mrs John Boston, 76 The Mount, Belfast.
Lieutenant Thomas Bolton was buried in Cairo War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt.
Lieut. T Boston is commemorated on Saint Patrick’s Church of Ireland, Newtownards Road, Ballymacarrett, Belfast.
Lieutenant Thomas Bolton is also commemorated on the family plot in Magheralin Old Church of Ireland Graveyard. Photo courtesy of Martin White.
The CWGC record Lieutenant Thomas Bolton as the son of John and Margaret Boston, of 76, The Mount, Mount Pottinger, Belfast
