Boyd, C (Christopher (Christy))
Boyd, C (Christopher (Christy))
Private Christy Boyd was the son of Robert and Maggie Boyd, grandson of Christy and Sarah Jane Boyd, of Carricknakielt, Maghera, Co. Londonderry.
At the age of seventeen, Christy volunteered at the outbreak of war and was later assigned to the 10th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
A few years later during Christmas Eve, 24th of December 1917, the commander of the 10th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers received word from the Corps Commander that Private C. Boyd, 27382 of “A” Company had been awarded the Military Medal. Unfortunately, though, Christopher Boyd had died five days previous in Manchester General Hospital of wounds to his leg and back which he had received during fighting on the 7th of December in Bertincourt, France. He had only been in England for a day after being transferred from the Australian Hospital in France. He would never know about the award.
During the same day of the notice of the award, a special carriage arrived at his grandmothers in Carricknakielt, Maghera from Manchester. It carried Private Christy Boyd’s remains in an oak coffin inscribed “Private Christopher Boyd, 27382, died 19th December 1917, aged 20 years.”
Two days later, on Boxing Day Private Christy Boyd’s funeral was held. In attendance was a firing party of the North Irish Horse from their camp in Antrim, led by Sergeant Major Agnew. Three volleys of shots were fired by the soldiers in honour of this man who had tragically lost his life. There was a large turn-out at the funeral. Christopher had only been home the previous August after being slightly wounded in France. No one knew that was the last time any of them would see each other.
Date of Death: 19/12/1917 (Aged 21)
Service: Private, 10th and 9th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
Service Number: 27382
Burial Location: Mullagh Old Graveyard, In North-East corner.
