Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Boulger a groom, born 1866 in Kildare, Ireland and his wife Kate Boulger (nee Gray, married in the 3rd quarter of 1890 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district), born 1866 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. George was born in the 1st quarter of 1892 in Melton Mowbray, his siblings were John Willie, born in the 4th quarter of 1890, James Edward, born 1895, Thomas Herbert, born 1898 and Dora, born 1899, all his siblings were born in Melton Mowbray, in March 1901 the family home was at 2, Granby Terrace, Rutland Street, Melton Mowbray. In April 1911 George was employed as an iron foundry worker and was living in the family home at 16, Cottesmore Avenue, Melton Mowbray, together with his mother, a laundress and his siblings, James, Thomas and Dora. His elder brother John also fell in action.
George attested into the Territorial Force to serve 4 years Service in the United Kingdom on the 5th February 1910 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. He gave his place of birth as Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, his age as 18 years and 11 months and his trade of calling as crane driver. He gave his present home address as 16, Cottesmore Avenue, Melton Mowbray. He gave his father Jack Boulger of 16, Cottesmore Avenue, Melton Mowbray as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 4 inches in height, and he had a chest measurement of between 33½ and 35½ inches. His vision was described as good and his physical development as good. He was pronounced fit for the Territorial Force on the 5th February 1910 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 1000 on the 5/2/10. Posted to the 5th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment and commenced preliminary training on the 5/2/10. Attended annual training at Buxton Camp on the 31/7/10 – 14/8/10. Attended annual training at High Tor Camp on the 6/8/11 – 21/8/11. Attended annual training at Aberystwyth Camp on the 4/8/12 – 18/8/12. Embodied service commenced on the 5/8/14. Appointed Lance Corporal on the 1/1/15. Appointed paid Lance Corporal at Sawbridgeworth on the 20/2/15. Embarked from Southampton with the 1/5th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 26/2/15. Landed at Le Havre, France on the 27/2/15. Promoted to Corporal in the field on the 23/7/15. Admitted to hospital and returned to duty on the 11/9/15. Incorrect Regimental entry for misconduct on the 15/9/15. Killed in action on the 25/9/15. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 5/2/10 – 27/2/15, 5 years 23 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 210 days. Total service 5 years 233 days. George was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British and Victory medals. The following personal items were forwarded to George’s mother by the Officer in charge, Infantry Records, Lichfield, purse, thimble, gospel, hymn book, note book, correspondence. On the 23rd February 1916 his mother wrote as follows:- Sir, I herewith acknowledge receipt of personal effects of my son Cpl. G. Boulger 1/5th Batt. Leicester Regt. No.1000. Thanking you for the same, I am Sir, Yours Faithfully Mrs. K. Boulger. The following information was provided by George’s mother Kate Boulger on the 5th November 1919, and was witnessed and signed by -?-, J.P. County of Leicester, Melton Mowbray on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier, John Boulger. Mother of soldier, Kate Boulger, both of 16, Cottesmore Avenue. Full blood brothers of soldier, James Edward, age 25. Thomas Herbert, age 23, both of 16, Cottesmore Avenue. Full blood sister of soldier, Dora, age 20 of 16, Cottesmore Avenue. George’s surviving service documents are in a poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.
The War Diary records: 25 Sep-15 - TRENCHES. At 3.50 am bombardment of HOOGE. Enemy replied and also shelled A1 and 50. At 5.56 am straw which had been put out by night was lighted in front of 50. Smoke bombs were thrown from 49 and A1. This promptly drew fire. 50 and A1 were heavily shelled and 49 trench mortared. Artillery telephone communication lost but 3rd LINCOLNSHIRE Battery and 2nd DERBYSHIRE Howitzer fired over 50 and 49 and later 4th STAFFORDSHIRE Battery. About 7.l5 am bombardment ended and the rest of the day was fairly quiet.
On Friday September 24th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – MORE LOCAL TERRITORIAL CASUALTIES. – TWO MELTONIANS KILLED. We regret that the ranks of our local Territorial’s arriving at the front have been further reduced, and two more Meltonians have been killed, in addition to several wounded. One is Private Russell Hubbard, 141, Thorpe-road, Melton Mowbray. Deceased who was 22 years of age last June, was employed for about five years at the shoe factory, being subsequently engaged as shop porter at Messrs. Garner and Sons’, ironmongers. When war was declared he had gone to Bridlington with the 5th Leicester’s (Territorial’s) for their annual fortnight’s training, and went out to France with them last February. He was killed last Sunday week by a shell which also wounded several other Melton Territorial’s. The news of his death was conveyed to his parents by the following letter:- “Dear Mr. Hubbard. - It is with deepest regret that I write to tell you of your son’s death. He was killed by a shell on Sunday mid-day, and died as brave a death as any soldier could. He was greatly respected by all the rest of the Company, and please accept the deepest sympathy from me and from them in your great loss. Yours Sincerely, F. E. Wynne, 2nd Lieut.” Deceased’s eldest brother Pte. Archibald Hubbard, who is serving with the same regiment, wrote home as follows:- “September 15th. Dear Mother and Dad, and sisters. - Just a few lines to say I received your parcel all right, and to thank you. I do not know how to write these few lines, but I am very sorry to say that we have lost poor old Russ. On Sunday we had a terrible day, but I am pleased to say he died nobly doing his duty like an Englishman. We buried him nicely at night behind the lines. Bill Roper one of the burial party, Corpl. Boulger, and myself went last night and trimmed it up a bit. We shall make a wreath of evergreens and put on it. The chaplain came up and read the service for us. Well, dear mother, I cannot write much more this time, as I feel about done up. May God watch over and protect you, and give you strength to stand this awful blow. It is a big blow to me, and I know it will be a bigger one to you. Kiss Regg and Lott for me, and accept same yourself. That is all this time, with love from your loving son. Arch. P.S. – We come out of the trenches on Tuesday night for six days.” Private R. Lakey, son of Mr. Robert Lakey, 14, Chapel street, Melton Mowbray was also killed the same day. He served his apprenticeship as bookbinder at Mr. J. W. Warner’s, 11 years ago, then took a situation in Lincoln. After that he had various other engagements and when the war broke out was employed by Mr. Stacey, printer and bookbinder, Leicester. Deceased enlisted in the 2/5th Leicester’s (Territorial’s), and went out with the second draft from Luton. Last Friday his father received the following letter. – “Dear Mr. Lakey. – It is with deepest regret that I write to tell you of your son’s death. He was killed by a shell on Sunday morning early, and died as brave a death as any soldier could. He was greatly respected by the rest of the company, and please accept the deepest sympathy from me and from them in your great loss. Yours sincerely. F. E. Wynne, 2nd Lieut.” Deceased’s sister Mrs. J. W. Coulson, received the following letter from Sergt. Dobson. “September 16th. Dear Madam. – Just a line to let you know the sad death of your brother Bob. It came as a big blow to us because the little time he had been with us he had been much liked by all and I am only expressing the feelings of No.6 Platoon in this letter. He got killed by a shell exploding near him, and death must have been instantaneous. Several of the company laid him to rest at the back of the line. I am sure while we are in this place his grave will be well looked after. Poor old Bob! I knew him before the war, and I was surprised when he joined us, but I can safely say he always did his duty, and was always very cheerful. Please accept my deepest sympathy. I expect all his personal belongings will be sent home. I remain, yours sincerely. H. Dobson.” Quartermaster-Sergt. W. Wade wrote as follows to deceased’s brother:- “Dear Sir. – I am returning your letter which is addressed to your brother Bob. I think you have most probably heard the sad news about him. I knew him all his life. He had not been with us many days, but he was a favourite with everyone. He will be missed amongst us all. He was in a dug-out and got it blown in with a shell, and he was buried. All the men sympathise with you in your loss, and please accept my sympathy. Yours sincerely. W. Wade.” In addition to the above, several local Territorial’s in the same company were wounded by shells about the same time. Pte. Frank Cooke of Melton, was wounded in the calf of one of his legs, Pte. Brown of Melton, was badly wounded in the shoulder and Pte. Leach of Melton, sustained a wound in the body one of his ribs being broken. Lance-Corpl. A. Birch, of Melton, had the drums of both ears burst, causing complete deafness, and Pte. Armstrong, of Sewstern was wounded in four places – one calf, both thighs, and a scratch at the back of the head.
On Friday October 1st 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – MORE MELTON TERRITORIAL CASUALTIES. – Mrs. Ruddle, of Fernie-avenue, Melton Mowbray, has received a letter from her husband, in which he states that last Sunday he assisted to bury Corpl. George Boulger, of the 5th Leicestershire (T.F.) Regiment, who was killed the previous day. Corpl. Boulger was a son of Mr. and Mrs. John Boulger, 16, Cottesmore-avenue, and has been a member of the local Territorial’s for several years, in fact he would have completed his time in November, although it was his intention to sign on again. As recently as a month ago he came home on six days furlough. In recognition of his gallantry on the occasion when the trench was blown up by a mine he was recently promoted to Corporal. He also took part in an engagement on the 11th September, when his kit was shot off his back, and he was slightly injured in the knee. His parents received an official intimation of this mishap only yesterday, the notice stating that Corpl. G. Boulger was wounded in action on September 11th and returned to duty the same day. Deceased, who was 23 years of age was employed on the Midland Railway, and was much respected by all who knew him. He was well known in local football circles. Another Melton Territorial, Pte. R. Bowett, was somewhat severely wounded yesterday week in the leg and both arms with shrapnel, and is now in hospital at Harrogate, Yorks. Pte. Bowett went out with a draft from Luton three months ago. He formerly worked for Mr. Eli Abbott, shoemaker, King-street, Melton.
On Friday May 10th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – MISSING MELTONIANS. – Mrs. Boulger, 16, Cottesmore-avenue, Melton Mowbray, has been officially informed that her son, Pte. Thomas H. Boulger, Notts and Derby Regiment, was posted as missing after an engagement in the field between March 21st and 23rd. He was the youngest of four brothers who all enlisted, and before joining up two years ago was in the employ of Mr. Edward Perkins, J.P., wholesale grocer, Market-place. His eldest brother Gunner John William Boulger, R.F.A., was killed on May 25th, 1917, and his next brother, Corpl. George Boulger, Leicester’s met with his death in September, 1915. His only surviving brother Driver James Boulger R.F.A., has been out at the front since August 1914.