Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Charles Henry Boulter, born 1859 in Southwark, Surrey and his wife Sarah Boulter (nee Wagstaff, married in the 4th quarter of 1887 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district), born 1862 in Middlesex. Henry Victor Boulter, was born in the 1st quarter of 1894 in Glen Parva, Leicestershire. In the 3rd quarter of 1896 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district, Henry’s mother died aged 34. In March 1901 Henry was residing as a boarder at 39, Burton Street, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, together with his widowed father, an iron works labourer and his siblings, Charles George, born 1889, John William, born 1891 and Lilian Maud, born 1892, all his siblings were born in Glen Parva, the family were all residing in the family home of Henry’s widowed maternal Grandmother, Elizabeth Wagstaff, a boarding house keeper, born 1841 in Norton, Northamptonshire, also residing in the family home was John’s maternal Aunt, Mary Elizabeth Branson, a needle worker, born 1864 in Weedon, Northamptonshire and his cousin, Emily Wagstaff, a mother’s help, born 1880 in Leicestershire. In April 1911 Henry was absent from the family home at 22, Pall Mall, Melton Mowbray, residing there was his father, a wool trade warehouseman, his step mother, Eliza Boulter (nee Dodson, married in the 4th quarter of 1908 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district), born 1889 in Melton Mowbray and his half blood sibling, Albert Edward Boulter, born 1910 in Melton Mowbray, Henry was employed as a clerk and was residing at 22, Salisbury Avenue, Melton Mowbray, this being the family home of his maternal Aunt Mary Branson and her husband Hiram Hawman Branson, a core maker, born 1862 in Staverton, Daventry, Northamptonshire. Henry first entered the theatre of war in France on the 19th May 1915, he was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals.
The War Diary records: 25 Sep-16 – In the afternoon the Battalion marched via LOZENGE and MAMETZ WOODS to the newly taken trenches East of EAUCOURT L’ABBAYE which formed part of the of German FLERS LINE relieving the 1st Battalion THE BLACK WATCH. On the way up the General Officer Commanding 2nd Brigade issued orders that a bombing attack was to be made with the object of taking more of the German part of the FLERS LINE. The attack was delivered that night, and was successful about 130 yards of trench being taken, chiefly by the bravery and steadiness of No.8 (RHODESIAN) platoon. Five prisoners were taken.
The War Diary records: 26 Sep-16 – On the following day a further attack was made, but without results at 2.30pm. Again at 11.00pm we attacked and drove in the Germans from some 40 yards after severe bombing. Lieutenant BRISTOWE was wounded, 2nd Lieutenant Farnham was wounded slightly.
The War Diary records: 27 Sep-16 – Two more bombing attacks were made without result. Lieutenant ANSON was severely wounded and Captain L. A. BALLANCE killed.
The War Diary records: 28 Sep-16 – No more attacks were made as nearly all our bombers were out of action and it was evident that the enemy was very strong. That night the 19th LONDON REGIMENT, 47th Division relieved us. Our total casualties were 1 Officer killed, 3 wounded. Other Ranks, killed 21, wounded 80, missing 8.
On Friday October 6th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – RIFLEMAN H. BOULTER SERIOUSLY WOUNDED. Another Melton soldier wounded is Rifleman H. Boulter, of the K.R.R., and we are sorry to learn that his injuries are very serious, as will be seen from the following letter which his sister has received:- “B.E.F., ---, Sept., 28th 1916. Dear Miss Boulter:- I am sorry to have to inform you that your brother, Rifleman H. Boulter, has been admitted to this hospital, No. 43 Casualty Clearing Station, seriously wounded in arm, chest and left thigh. The arm wound was so serious that it has been necessary to amputate it. It was done last evening, and so far he is holding his own very well, and I hope he will soon get well enough to be removed to a base hospital and after that on to England. He asks me to send you his love, and to say he is going on all right, and will soon be home to see you. He is a dear boy, and is most patient. He suffered a good deal before his arm was removed, but now he is free from pain, and all we have to do now is to get his strength up. I hope you will not worry too much about him, because if he goes on as he is now doing he ought soon to be all right. Yours sincerely, - (Sister) J. Gordon.” It is a most strange coincidence that Rifleman Boulter was wounded at the battle of Loos on September 25th last year. He is 22 years of age, and has been in the firing line, after being last wounded since January 1st this year. He enlisted in the K.R.R. at Christmas 1914.
On Friday October 13th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – MELTON SOLDIER’S KILLED. - RIFLEMAN H. V. BOULTER DIES OF WOUNDS. Last week we intimated that Miss Boulter, of Melton Mowbray, had received a letter informing her that her brother, Rifleman Harry Boulter, of the King’s Royal Rifles, had been seriously wounded in three places. We are sorry to learn that on Friday morning she received a further letter stating he died from the shock following the amputation of his arm. The letter was as follows:- “45 Casualty Clearing Station, B.E.F., October 1st, 1916. Dear Miss Boulter, - By this time you will have received our letter telling you that your brother had been wounded, and when I wrote was going on as satisfactorily as could be expected, but the shock must have been too much for him, and I am sorry indeed to have to tell you that he died this early morning. He was such a good patient, and never complained. At first he suffered a good deal of pain with his poor arm, but not after the operation, and his last hours were quite peaceful and free from pain. With deep sympathy, Yours sincerely (Sister) J. Gordon.”
Deceased who was 22 years of age, lost his mother when he was two years old, was brought up by his grandmother, Mrs. Wagstaff, who resides at Lower Brook-st., Melton, and since leaving school he was employed in the offices at Holwell Iron Works. He enlisted directly after the outbreak of the war, and joined the K.R.R. on the 28th Dec., 1914. He was wounded at the Battle of Loos, on Sept., 25th 1915, and returned to the firing line on Jan. 1st. Rifleman Boulter was a member of the Melton Young Men’s Institute Football Club. In a letter of condolence to his grandmother, Mr. E. Carter, secretary of the Holwell Iron Co., says:- “I personally feel his loss, as he was one of our most trusted clerks. He was always a quiet and unassuming youth, with rather humorous bent, but a real good worker. There is the consolation that he has died for us that we may continue to live in that liberty which, as Englishmen, we have enjoyed ourselves, and have always tried to extend to others. You can always certainly remember him with pride in the knowledge that he gave all that any man can give – he gave his life for his King and country.”
On Friday September 28th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS” – IN MEMORIAM. BOULTER.- In ever loving memory of Harry Victor Boulter, died of wounds (received in action) 45 Casualty Clearing Hospital, France, Oct. 1st 1916. To forget him is vain endeavour. Sweet memories last forever. From his only sister Lilly, Brothers at home and abroad. In the same issue the following was published under the same heading. BOULTER.- In loving memory of Rifleman H. V. Boulter, 2nd Batt. K.R.R. who died of wounds in France. Oct. 1st 1916, aged 22 years. When our hearts are bowed in sorrow. When the land is grey with woe. Father Thou wilt lead our loved ones. Lead them whereso’er they go. We who wait at home will listen. Pray for those who bear the sword. Confident that we have left them. In the keeping of the Lord. Fondly remembered by his loving Grannie, Auntie, Uncle and Don, also Bert in France.
On Friday September 27th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – IN MEMORIAM. BOULTER. – In loving memory of my dear brother, Rifleman H. V. Boulter, King’s Royal Rifles, died of wounds in France, Oct 1st, 1916.
For England, dear England.
The land of his birth.
Never forgotten by his sister Lilly, and Jack in France.
BOULTER. – In ever loving memory of Rifleman H. V. Boulter, King’s Royal Rifles, wounded Sept. 26th, died of wounds October 1st, 1916, aged 22 years.
Somewhere in France in a soldier’s grave.
Lies our dear one among the brave.
Not gone from memory, nor from love.
But to his Father’s home above.
From his loving Grannie, Auntie, Uncle Don.