Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William James Boulter a railway navvy, born 26th December 1866 in Wigston, Leicestershire and his wife Hannah Mary Boulter (nee Kind, married on the 15th February 1892 in St. Peter’s Church, Whetstone, Leicestershire), born 5th December 1866 in Whetstone. George Edward was born on the 9th September 1893 in Whetstone, his siblings were Edgar Kind, a coal office boy, born 6th October 1886, Florence Martha, born 31st August 1892, Joseph Kind, born 8th December1895 and Laura Kind, born 3rd January 1900, all his siblings were born in Whetstone, in March 1901 the family home was in Whetstone. In April 1911 George was employed as a shoe trade pressman and was residing in the family home at 11, Glen Gate, South Wigston, together with his father, a labourer, his mother and siblings, Florence, a framework knitter, Joseph, a labourer, Laura, a schoolgirl, Ellen, a schoolgirl, born 16th September 1903 and Frank, a schoolboy, born 15th May 1909, the latter two siblings were both born in Whetstone. Ernest’s father died in March 1946, age 79 and his mother died in December 1956 aged 90.
George enlisted/attested into the Territorial Force on the 1st September 1914 in Leicester, and was allotted the service number 2552. He gave his place of birth as Whetstone, Leicestershire and age as 20 years 11 months. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as boot finisher.
His medical examination took place in Leicester on the 1st September 1914 and recorded his apparent age as 20 years 330 days, that he was 5 feet 8 inches in height and had a chest measurement of between 34 and 36 inches. He gave his religion as Wesleyan.
He gave his next of kin as his father, Mr. William Boulter, 38, Bassett Street, South Wigston, Leicestershire
During his period of military service, the following events of note occurred: -
Joined. At Leicester. 1/9/14.
Posted. To 4th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 1/9/14.
Embodied Service commenced. 1/9/14.
Embarked. With 1/4th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. from Southampton. 2/3/15.
Disembarked. Le Havre, France. 3/3/15.
Killed in action. In the Field. 20/7/15.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 1/9/14 – 1/3/15. 182 days.
France. 2/3/15 – 20/7/15. 141 days.
Total Service. 323 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
The War Diary records: 20 Jul-15 - At 1:00am Battalion relieved 5th LINCOLNSHIRE REGIMENT in Right Sector. Companies were distributed as follows:- 42a dug-outs “B” Company (3 platoons). 47 and 47S “A” Company. 48 and 48S “C” Company. 49 and 49S “D” Company. SPRI “B” Company (1 platoon). Headquarters situated 100 yards North West of North end of trench 49 in dead ground from immediate front. M.O. in 42a dug-outs. Battalion dumping ground North West corner of MAPLE COPSE. Trenches were in bad conditions. Little or no barbed wire entanglements. Practically no system of drainage. In places the parapet was dangerously low. Number of dug-outs quite insufficient, sanitary condition deplorable. Enemy fairly quiet, During the evening trench 48 was trench mortared, this ceased however when our artillery replied. Casualties, other ranks 1 man killed, 5 men wounded.
On Monday 2nd August 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “THE ROLL OF HONOUR.” - The parents of Private GEORGE EDWARD BOULTER, of the 1-4 Leicester’s, have just received intimation that he was killed in Belgium on July 20 while on picket duty. He and three comrades had in the course of their duty left the shelter of the trenches when he was killed instantaneously by a bullet through the head, fired by an enemy sniper. In a letter of condolence, Captain Corah speaks most highly of his plucky conduct on all occasions. He was 22 years of age, being the second son of Mr. William Boulter (caretaker of the Boys Council Schools), who has two other sons serving with the colours, Edgar with the Howitzer Brigade, and Joseph with the 10th Leicester’s.