Roll of Honour
Private Gilbert Boddington
Service Number: 10873
Regiment: Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (5th)
Conflict: World War One
Date of Death: 20th June 1915
Age at Death: 20
Burial/Memorial Location: Menin Gate Memorial, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
Son of Henry & Annie Boddington, of Weston-on-the-Green.
"On Tuesday morning the parents of Pte. Gilbert Boddington, 5th Batt. O.B.L.I., received the following communication from Capt. Saunderson: “I am writing to express my deepest sympathy with you in the loss of your son, who was in my company. He was killed on the way up to the trenches when along the road with headquarter company. A shell burst close to them, killing and wounding several. I was not there at the time, so very much regret that I can give you practically no details, but hope you will accept my sympathy.”
A letter signed by the following comrades of deceased states that he fell on 19th June: L.-C. F.G. Godwin, Ptes. R. Porter, A.J. East, W. East, G.W. Varney, and F.G.M. Hawkins.
Writing in connection with the death of Pte. Boddington, Corpl. W. Scarrott, of Kirtlington, who was in the same company as the fallen soldier says: “From what I can gather Gilbert was killed instantaneously by a shell, which blew those who were with him to pieces. That was an awful night; the Germans were using gas shells, and it was the first touch of the stuff we had had.”
Pte. G. Boddington was the youngest son of Mr and Mrs Henry Boddington, of Weston-on-the-Green, and was 20 years of age. When at home he followed the occupation of wheelwright. He volunteered for service in the Oxon and Bucks L.I. at the commencement of the War, and was sent to the Front on the 19th of May, where he was able to fight for his country exactly a month before laying down his life, The news of his death was received with profound regret in Weston-on-the-Green, from which village he was among the first to enlist. A fine-looking young man, his loss is keenly felt by those who knew him. The utmost sympathy is felt with the deceased’s relatives." Bicester Herald 02/07/1915