Boaz Griffiths was born in 1893 in Weston Rhyn, Oswestry. He was the third youngest child and youngest son of John, a coal miner, and Catherine Griffiths. In 1901, six of his siblings were living at their parents’ home, but he had two more, older sisters, who probably had moved out: The census of 1911 gives 17 children born of which 9 survived. In this year the family lived at Albert Square, Weston Rhyn, and Boaz and his brothers, John and Charlie, were working as coal miners at Chirk Green. Their mother died probably in the first three months of 1911, the census of this year has their father as a widower, he would later live at Vine Cottages, Albert Road.

Boaz enlisted in August 1914 as one of the Oswestry Pals serving with 6 Bn King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. He went over to France with the battalion on 24 July 1915.  At some point he was wounded and was posted to 7 Bn KSLI when he returned to duty. He was wounded a second time returning to France in July 1917 and posted back to 6 Bn KSLI. during the first 2 weeks of July the n=battalion was in the line at Avion, the time had been quiet and they spent the time on working parties epairing and improving the trenches. According to his Obituary, Boaz was admitted to hospital on 13 July having been wounded in the head. The War Diary for the 11-14 July records 2 ORs KIA and 6 wounded. Boaz was likely wounded on 11 July when 3 men were accidentally wounded when they hit an old unexploded bomb whilst digging. Alternatively, but this does not fit with his Obituary, on 14 July at 2.30am, he was one of 3 men wounded after “the enemy shelled Adept (Trench) for about 20 minutes” (War Diary). He was admitted to No. 12 Stationary Hospital at St. Pol. His wound became infected and he died on 2 August 1918 of Septic Meningitis. He is buried in St Pol British Cemetery. His name is also recorded on the Weston Rhyn War Memorial and St Oswald’s Church, Oswestry.

Acknowledgements. Photo family member Phyllis Fraser.

References and Sources

END