Boal, W J (William James)
Lieutenant William James Boal was the son of Robert and Jane Boal of Diamond Gardens, Finaghy, Belfast and was the husband of Sarah Margaret Boal, of Tobermore. William original came from 237 Ravenhill Avenue, Belfast, he had five brothers and sisters of which he was the oldest of the brothers.
During the Great War William was a Lance Corporal with the 9th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.[1] He served as a signaller and joined the battalion during 1915.
William was awarded the DCM[2] on the 1st January 1919 for his time in Saint Quentin, France and was also mentioned in Dispatches earlier in the war for his bravery.
After the breakout of the Second World War William volunteered for service again, surprisingly along with his father. His father was rejected due to him being too old. His application though was accepted but not in the army but with the Royal Navy Air Arm where he would become a pilot and instructor. He would serve with 755 Squadron at HMS Kestrel which was based at the Royal Navy Air Station, Worthy Down near Winchester in England.
Unfortunately, while on a training flight William was killed when his plane was in collision with another aircraft. His body was recovered and returned to his family for burial.
William was awarded the 1914/15 Stars, also the British war, Victory Medals, Distinguished Conduct Medal, and his medals from the Second World War.
Date of Death: 24/02/1942 (Aged 47)
Service: Lieutenant, H.M.S. Kestrel, 755 Naval Air Squadron and 9th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
Service Number: 19903
Burial Location: Draperstown (St Columba) Church of Ireland Churchyard
[1] Lance Corporal William James Boal served under service number 19903.
[2] DCM is the Distinguished Conduct Medal.
