Boulton, Henry Lewis (Harry)

Edward Boulton married Millicent Ellen Crosswell in the 4th quarter of 1897. Harry was born in the third quarter of 1898 in the parish of Shipston on Stour and was the first son of this marriage although his mother had had another son, John Tracey Crosswell, eighteen months earlier.

At the time of the 1901 census, the family was living at Broadway Road, Weston Subedge in Gloucestershire and consisted of Edward and Millicent (recorded as Ellen), John, Harry and Alfred Edward (5 months). There was also a boarder who was a farm labourer. Edward Snr. is recorded as a carter, on farm.

By the time of the 1911 census the family had moved to Welford Hill Cottages, Welford on Avon where Edward Snr. continued to work as carter and John Tracey was working as a ploughboy while Harry was still at school.

The family appear to have moved into Warwick sometime before 1916, when Edward Snr. is listed as a labourer living at 16 Bridge End in the Spennell’s Trade Directory. This is also the address given in Harry’s attestation in December 1915. In the 1918 Directory Edward Snr. is listed at 39 Pickard Street. This is the address to which Harry’s effects were sent in August 1918.

Poignantly, the person who completed the Shrine Slip gave his age as 19 years 9 months.

Harry’s step brother John also died