Ernest George BOAS

Pen Portrait

Ernest was the son of Ernest A Boas of Dunbarton, Derryvolgie Avenue in Belfast. He is reported to have signed the Solemn League and Covenant on 28th September 1912.

A member of Alden's House (at CCB) and a noted scholar, Ernest was a member of both Campbell OTC and QUB OTC where he was appointed to the Special Reserve of Officers in June 1915, then later commissioned to the 5th (attached to 13th) Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles.

Ernest was killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. Sergeant Arnold of the 20th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles reported that "they advanced on the 1st of July with Number 3 Platoon of RIR, Lieutenant Boas in charge. They reached the second and third line trenches where Boas was killed." He is commemorated Thiepval Memorial, Pier V.Face 15A – 15B.