Boyall | Alfred Morey | | Lieutenant | BOYALL, ALFRED MOREY, Lieutenant, was born 6 October 1877, son of John Richard Boyall, of Ealing. He was educated at Harrow (The Park), 1891, and joined the Army as a Second Lieutenant in the West Yorkshire Regiment, 16 February 1898, becoming Lieutenant 28 May 1899. He served in the South African War, taking part in the operations in Natal, 1899, and the Relief of Ladysmith with the action of Colenso; operations of 17 to 24 January 1900; action at Spion Kop; operations of 5 to 7 February 1900; action at Vaal Kranz; operations on Tugela Heights, and the action at Pieter's Hill, in which he was wounded; operations in Natal (including the action at Laing's Nek), March to June, 1900; operations east and west of Pretoria, in the Transvaal, July to 29 November 1900, and in the Transvaal 30 November 1900 to 31 May 1902. He was twice mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 8 February and 10 September 1901]; received the Queen's and King's Medals with seven clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 27 September 1901]: "Alfred Morey Boyall, Lieutenant, West Yorkshire Regiment. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". The Insignia were presented by the King 12 May 1902. He had his captaincy 19 January 1905, and between March 1908, and March 1912, was employed in the Militia, and in the Special Reserve as Adjutant. Captain Boyall served again with distinction in the European War. After being employed as Staff Captain (March and April 1915) and DAAG (April 1915 to April, 1916) at the General Headquarters of the British Expeditionary Force, and becoming Brevet Major 1 September 1915, he was Acting Lieutenant Colonel, West Yorkshire Regiment, 1 November 1916 to March 1918. He was mentioned in Sir John French's Despatch of 15 October 1915, dated War Office, 1 January 1916. Mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig's Despatch, dated War Office, 15 June, 1916, and awarded a Bar to the Distinguished Service Order 4 February 1918: "Alfred Morey Boyall, Acting Lieutenant Colonel, West Yorkshire Regiment. When in command of an advanced guard battalion he pushed forward, after the capture of the first objective, and occupied a more advanced position, which was one of great importance, on his own initiative. His appreciation of the situation and display of bold initiative had considerable bearing on the success of the whole operations". He was given his Brevet Lieutenant Colonelcy 1 January 1918. Lieutenant Colonel Boyall married, in 1905, Ida Mary Albina, daughter of Major General Sykes.
DSO with 2nd and 3rd Bars, QSA (5) T-H OFS RofL Trans L-N (Lt) KSA (2), 1914 Star and Bar, BWM, Victory Medal with MID (Lt Col), Legion d'Honneur (France) 4th Class. Regimental Museum 1986.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | (Prince of Wales's Own) West Yorkshire Regiment |