William David Boyden

William David Boyden was born in 1898 the son of William Robert a commercial clerk and Rebecca Annie Boyden (née Pocklington). His father was born in 1865 at Devonport, his mother Rebecca Annie Pocklington in 1863 at Nottingham. Married in 1889, they had ten children. Robert’s seven siblings to survive infancy were Mary Catherine b.1890, Gertrude Annie b.1892, Alfred James P b.1894, Francis Edward b.1896, Bernard Noel b.1901, Robert Henry b.1904 and George Arol b.1908. In 1911 they lived at 42 Maples Street Bentinck Road Nottingham. Mary and Gertrude were lace hands whilst Alfred was a Midland Railways porter.

William Boyden, who served with 17th (Welbeck Rangers), 16th (Chatsworth Rifles) and 10th Battalion all Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment), died of influenza at Nottingham General Hospital on 20th February 1919 eleven days after being demobilised on 9th February 1919. The award of his Military Medal was published in the London Gazette 2nd November 1917.

Death notices published 21st February 1919 in the Nottingham Evening Post: ‘BOYDEN. – William David Boyden, M.M., aged 21, late of the 17th Sherwood Foresters, died Nottingham General Hospital, February 20th, of influenza, after three years' noble duty in France. – From his broken-hearted mother and sisters, May and Gerty. R.I.P.’ ‘BOYDEN. – On February 20th, at Nottingham General Hospital, of influenza William David Boyden, M.M., aged 21, late of the 17th Sherwood Foresters. The joy of our home has gone. – From his sorrowing brothers, Alf, Eddie, Bernard, Bob, George, Jim, and Everard. R.I.P.’ ‘BOYDEN. – On February 20th, at Nottingham General Hospital, of influenza, after three years in France, William David Boyden, M.M., aged 21, late of the 17th Sherwood Foresters. R.I.P. Shattered hopes. – From his sorrowing fiancée, Lily.’ Notices courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918. No CWGC record Research by Peter Gillings