Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Thomas and Angus Boston enlisted to join World War One on 16 August 1915. They were standing next to each other in the line as they were given consecutive service numbers, 3249 and 3250 for Angus and Thomas Boston respectfully. They would both serve in the 50th Battalion for some time before both calling France there home forever-more.

Angus, the eldest of the two brothers was born and was living in Naracoorte at the time of his enlistment in 1915, aged 26. He stated on his enlistment form that he was married to Mrs Cecilia Boston and by trade was a labourer with his religion listed as Presbyterian.

Thomas, although living at Naracoorte, was born at Mount Schanck near Mount Gambier in South Australia’s south east at his enlistment, aged 22. He was single and his occupation was given as a baker whilst he said his religion was also Presbyterian.

Both of the Boston Brothers were allocated to the same unit. They embarked together at Outer Harbourer on 27 October 1915 on board HMAT Benalla (A24) as part of the 11th Reinforcements of the 10th Battalion. After arriving in Egypt and undergoing a period of brief training in the dessert they were transferred to the 50th Battalion. This move was part of the AIF’s expansion and consolidation process in which they formed 2 new Divisions from 4 Brigades.

More time was spent with the 50th Battalion in Egypt training. Finally, the 50th Battalion was re-located to the Western Front disembarking at Marseilles on the Southern French coast on 12 June 1916. From here they entrained and were taken north.

The first battle the 50th Battalion would face was at Mouquet Farm near Pozieres on the Somme. Beginning in July the campaign would rage on or weeks. Even after the first five weeks of fighting there Australian units had suffered 23,000 causalities – its highest ever recorded in that given period. For the 50th Battalion they attacked the enemy twice when they were in the front lines from 12 August to 16 August 1916. Thomas Boston survived the ordeal without injury, however, Angus Boston sustained a gunshot wound to his right arm on 16 August. He was evacuated out of the line and withdrawn to England for further medical treatment where he was admitted to several hospitals during his stay.

Meanwhile, Thomas Boston had been promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal in September 1916 and then Corporal in November 1916. The Boston Brothers saw in the New Year in two different countries.

Angus Boston, fully recovered from his wound proceeded overseas to France on 16 January 1917 and re-joined the 50th battalion, meeting his brother, Thomas, on 28 January 1917. In early February 1917 the German army began retreating from its front line to the much consolidated Hindenberg Line. To achieve a ‘clean break’ thus minimising causalities the German army had left behind various isolated fortified positions and fortified towns now known as the Outpost Villages. The positions were guarded until the bulk of the German army had passed them and the allies had suffered some causalities from trying to capture them.

The 50th Battalion, in April would attack one of these Outpost Villages called Noreuil. Although initial gains were made causalities were high due to isolated Machine Guns nests on the approach to the village. After these were finally taken the 50th Battalion proceeded until it nearly reached its objective where it met stiff resistance. Causalities continued to mound quickly for the 50th Battalion which was been attacked on two fronts: in front and behind. Only when reinforcements were committed to the attack did the 50th Battalion gain to upper hand.

Tragically, however, both of the Boston Brothers were killed in the Attack on Noreuil on the 2 April 1917. By family anecdote, it is suggested that one of the Boston Brothers was mortally wounded, shot, whilst the other brother was killed in action whilst attempting a rescue.

The Boston Brothers were both identified and buried in a new cemetery just out of Noreuil, now called Noreuil Australian cemetery. Angus’ grave, however, was later subsequently destroyed by artillery fire and he now has a special memorial grave within the cemetery with the title ‘known to be buried in this cemetery.’ Thomas’ grave, however, remained intact.

Although far from home in Naracoorte, both of the Boston Brothers, Angus and Thomas, served together and now have a new home where they will be together forever only separated by several other tombstones…