NOTE. Believed to be. Based on the listing on the war memorial at Holy Trinity Church, Oswestry this man is the most probable candidate. See also Gunner 7201 Frank Boylin, Royal Marine Artillery. Drowned 12 January 1918. Lyness Royal Naval Cemetery, Orkney

Note – There is some confusion as to the battalion in which he served. The memorial at Holy Trinity in Oswestry lists 5 Bn KSLI, whereas CWGC and other documents has 7 Bn KSLI. It is assumed that he became a casualty serving with 7 Bn KSLI – based on that he is buried in Belgium, when 7 Bn KSLI were at Ypres and 5Bn KSLI were on the Somme.

Believed to be Frank Robert Boylin, (see note above), born 9 Sept 1878, Mardol, Shrewsbury and baptised at St. Chad’s, Shrewsbury on 26 September 1878. He was the fifth of eight children of John Pryce Davies Boylin, hairdresser, and his wife Margaret. The family lived at 63 Mardol from at least 1881 to 1911. Frank spent sometime in London. In 1901 he is working as a hairdresser’s assistant in St. Pancras, where he married Bertha Mary A Becky in 1900. Frank had two children Mary A M (aka Maggie), born in 1901 and Frank, born 1903. Both children were born in St. Pancras. In 1911 Frank is working with his widowed mother, Margaret, back at 63 Mardol. Margaret is recorded as a hairdresser and Frank as an assistant. Bertha appears to have been nicknamed Cissie in the 1911 census. Frank named his wife, Bertha, as his sole legatee in the Register of Soldiers’ Effects.

Soldiers Died in the Great War shows that he enlisted at Shrewsbury – probably in 1914 given that he was awarded the 1915 Star and must have been in France by September 1915.

Frank was killed in action on 1 April 1916 and is buried at Spoil Bank Cemetery near Ypres. He is also commemorated at Holy Trinity Church, Oswestry.

Acknowledgements.

References / sources

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