Private Archibald Crockett Boal

 

Archibald Crockett Boal was born around 1862 in the Newtowncunningham district, County Donegal, one of at least four children of farmer William Boal and his wife Rebecca (née Crockett). On 16 June 1897 he married Catherine Marshall in the Newtowncunningham Presbyterian Church. Catherine died at Milltown, Raymoghy, on 16 October 1910. At the time of the 1911 Census Archibald was living on the family farm at nearby Moneymore with his widowed mother and two sisters.

The records of Boal's military service are quite limited, but based on what has survived the following can be concluded.

Boal enlisted in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers between 10 and 24 September 1914 (No.14446). Between 23 October and 6 November he joined the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons Service Squadron (No. UD/79). He may have been discharged from the Fusiliers on account of his age (he was around 52 at the time) or (less likely) been transferred from that regiment to the Dragoons. It seems probable that he was subsequently discharged from the Dragoons.

In mid-July 1917 Boal again enlisted, this time in the Army Veterinary Corps (No. SE/31094). Later that year or in 1918 he served overseas with that regiment. On 25 March 1919 he was demobilised and transferred to Class Z, Army Reserve. He was granted a pension due to rheumatism, which was attributed to his military service, his level of disability assessed at 5 per cent in December 1919 (and 10% in October 1920).

Following his demobilisation Boal returned to farming at Moneymore. He died in the Lifford County Hospital, County Donegal, on 14 October 1935.

 

This page last updated 29 August 2023.