First World War Medal Trio – Major Thomas William Houssemayne du Boulay, 1st Border Regiment
1914 “Mons” Star – CAPT: T. W. H. DU BOULAY. BORD:R.
British War Medal – MAJOR T. W. H. DU BOULAY
Victory Medal – MAJOR T. W. H. DU BOULAY
Major Thomas William Houssemayne du Boulay was born on 26th January 1875 at Sandgate, Kent, the son of Julius D. Houssemayne du Boulay and Elizabeth (Bessie) Solly.
He was educated for the Army and passed out of the Royal Military College in 1894, being commissioned into the 1st Battalion, The Border Regiment the same year.
He was promoted Lieutenant in 1895, and Captain in 1902, serving as a career Regular officer of the regiment during the height of the British Empire. By the 1911 Census he was serving overseas with the 1st Battalion, recorded at Rangoon, Burma, reflecting the battalion’s imperial garrison service.
On the outbreak of the Great War the 1st Border Regiment formed part of the British Expeditionary Force. Major du Boulay arrived in France on 25th August 1914, during the opening phase of the campaign following the Retreat from Mons.
He served throughout the war, attaining the rank of Major during the First World War, remaining with his regiment through the conflict.
He died on 13th June 1921, aged 46, and is commemorated on a church pew bearing the inscription:
“In memory of Major T.W.H. du Boulay, Border Regiment, died June 13th 1921.”
He had married Lillian Julia Charlotte Askew in 1903, the marriage reported in the contemporary press, reflecting his standing as a serving officer of the Border Regiment. His son won the DFC while serving in the RAF during WW2.
A fine example of a pre-war Regular officer of the old Army, whose service spanned imperial garrison duty, the opening campaign of 1914 with the BEF, and the entirety of the Great War.
PLEASE NOTE: All research will be sent to the buyer via email. I am unable to provide printed copies, as I do not have access to a printer.
Visit my website for better prices on most of my stock.
AJMS Medals