News of the Death of Private Boon, Again

Saturday 19th June 1915: Readers will remember that we reported the singular case of Private W. Boon on 3rd February. He was reported killed-in-action when he was still very much alive. This week, a letter has been received from Private A. P. Marsh, whose home in next door to Mrs. Boon. He writes: “I have much regret in informing you that your son Will was killed in action on Tuesday last. I was not with him at the time but it was a great blow to me and his other chums to hear of his fate, as he was very much loved by us all. We send you our deepest sympathy in your bereavement. I myself am getting on all right but, of course, none of us knows whose turn is next”(1).

Private George Ellis also writes to say that Private Boon has been killed. He mentions that Private Boon was seen to drop. An enquiry has since been made of the authorities and an intimation has now been received that Private Boon was posted as missing on May 19th. Private Boon was 18 years of age and went to the front in the early stages of the war.

Source: Luton News 1st July 1915

(1) Private Marsh seems to have survived the war. Private Boon was killed on 17th May when his battalion, 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, was in action at Festubert. he has no known grave and is commemorated on the le Touret Memorial.