Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Henry Bolton a brick burner, born 1857 in Market Harborough, Leics., and his wife Harriet, born 1856 in Oxendon, Northants. Cyril Henry was born in 1896 in Market Harborough, Leics., he had one sibling, a sister Ida, born 1899 in Market Harborough, Leics., also residing in the family home were two half blood siblings, Nellie Tilley, born 1885 and Charles Tilley, born 1878, both siblings were born in Market Harborough, Leics., in March 1901 the family home was at St. Mary’s Road, Great Bowden, Leics. In April 1911 Cyril was employed as a corset factory sorter and was residing in the family home at 13, Orchard Street, Market Harborough, Leics., together with his parents and sibling Ida, and half blood siblings Charles and Nellie. The War Diary for today records. CARTIGNIES. 01.15. Conference of Company Commanders. Details arranged for attack to be carried out at dawn or as soon after as possible. Small barrage available if required. Three objectives (1) Road running north west and south east through BOULOGNE –SUR – HELPE. (2) Road running north and south through LE CHEVAL BLANC X ROADS. (3) Main road north and south through AVESNES. River PETIT HELPE reconnoitred by 2nd Lt. JENNINGS and 1 N.C.O. per Coy. 08.40. Battn advanced to the attack D Coy (BALL) on right in touch with French. C Coy on left. A and B Coy’s in Reserve. Coy’s of left Battn waded river or crossed by means of cut down trees and meeting with no opposition pushed on and took 1st objectives at 09.30, sending back reports by Cavalry patrols. Battn HQ with right ½ Battn then crossed by pontoon bridge and moved to line of 1st objective, 1st line Transport followed. Battn HQ at PULNES BRULEES. Left ½ Battn moved forward and at 11.15 captured 2nd objective. Enemy’s machine gun fire now becoming heavy. Thick mist made observation impossible. 11.00. Captain J. D. HILLS returned from leave to England and resumed duties of Adjutant vice 2nd Lt. G. K. DUNLOP D.C.M. who returned to Quarter Masters Stores. 11.15. D Coy (T. BALL) pushed towards final objective. Considerable opposition from machine guns on French front. Mist still very thick. Leading troops reached 3rd objective and found themselves suddenly in middle of German field gun Battery. Enemy completely surprised and 25 prisoners and six horses were captured. 2nd Lt. BETTLES was killed during the fighting at close quarters round the guns. Attempt was made to destroy guns and one breech block was removed. Enemy counter attacked three times and eventually D Coy finding both flanks were unsupported fell back on line of light railway 300 yards west of final objective. C. Coy (BANWELL) was held up on the same line. The French were in a similar position though there was a considerable gap between the two Armies making liaison difficult. CHEVAL BLANC X ROADS had been prepared for demolition but charge had failed to explode. 14.00 Battn HQ moved to house 250 yards west of these X Roads, B Coy (PIERREPOINT) moved up to LE BIVET CHATEAU to support D Coy. A Coy moved to LE CHEVAL BLANC. Enemy apparently holding the AVESNES – ETROEUNGT ROAD in considerable strength. 15.15. 2 Coy’s of the 4th Battn SHERWOOD FORESTERS moved up to support us and protect right flank, both coming under orders of our Commanding Officer. 1 Coy, A Coy (SARAMOWICZ) moved to form defensive flank. Remaining Coy stayed at Battn HQ. Quiet night except for few shells round CHEVAL BLANC for about an hour before and after sunset. Battery of ROYAL HORSE ARTILLERY crossed river and took up positions on east side, just north of BOULOGNE – SUR – HELPE. Other artillery still very far behind.