Pte 269622 Ernest Boyd

• Age: 20
• From: Moston, Manchester
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• D.O.W Wednesday 8th May 1918
• Commemorated at: Tyne Cot Memorial
  Panel Ref: Panel 31-34

Ernest Boyd was born in Prestwich, Lancashire, in 1897, the only surviving child of Joseph Edgar Boyd and his wife Helen (nee Smith). He was baptised on 23^rd September 1897 in Christ Church Harpurhey, Lancashire.  (His birth was not registered until the December quarter.) His parents are living at 9 Cromwell Street; his father is a coach painter, born in Doncaster,  his mother was born in Manchester. His parents had married in Prestwich in 1894 and had two other children, both daughters , who sadly died in infancy.

In 1901 the family is still at 9 Cromwell Street, Moston and his father is still working as a coach painter; Ernest is 3.

In 1911 they are at 124 Moston Lane, Manchester. His father runs a fish and chip shop; Ernest is 13. 

Ernest enlisted in Manchester probably on 14th October 1916 as Private 269622, of 2/7^th Bn King’s (Liverpool) Regiment. He went overseas on 04th April 1917 and was later transferred to the 17^th Bn. His service records have not survived, but the last action of the battalion in the Ypres salient was on 08^th May 1918 , when they were subjected to an intense enemy artillery barrage and the Germans launched an attack along the whole brigade front. The War Diary records casualties during this period of 10 Other Ranks killed, 37 Other Ranks wounded, 19 Other Ranks missing.

Ernest's date of death is subject to some confusion.It is recorded by CWGC as 08th May 1918, Soldiers effects has his death "presumed" on 8th May 191. His pension record states 8th May 1918 while SDGW and Everard Wyrall record his death as 22nd March 1918. 

His family made an enquiry with the British Red Cross on 20th November 1918 but it no avail.

A family notice placed in the Manchester Evening News on 7th February 1919 gives a clear indication as to the date they have been advised by the War Office:

MISSING: Information wanted

BOYD - Private ERNEST BOYD 269622 'D' Company 17th Liverpools, missing May 8th 1918 Parents: 124 Moston Lane, Moston, Manchester.

The 17th Battalion casualty register has evidence from Private Allen J Palmer 53193. "Death accepted as having occurred on or about 08th May 1918 on statement by 53193 Pte A J Palmer".

Ernest was aged 20. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium.

Those United Kingdom and New Zealand servicemen who died after August 16th 1917 are named on the Tyne Cot Memorial, a site which marks the furthest point reached by Commonwealth forces in Belgium until nearly the end of the war.

The Tyne Cot Memorial now bears the names of almost 35,000 officers and men whose graves are not known. The memorial, designed by Sir Herbert Baker with sculpture by Joseph Armitage and F.V. Blundstone, was unveiled by Sir Gilbert Dyett on 20 June 1927.

The memorial forms the north-eastern boundary of Tyne Cot Cemetery, which was established around a captured German blockhouse or pill-box used as an advanced dressing station.

Soldiers effects to his father and Pension to his mother.

His father died a year later in 1919. His mother lived until 1951.