Boyce, Alexis John
No.3102b – Sergeant Alexis John Boyce – 48th Battalion AIF
Alexis John Boyce was born in Ballarat Victoria in 1890. He was educated in Victoria and after leaving school he took up the trade of engineering. Unfortunately his parents died while he was quite young and Alex soon travelled to Western Australia where he took up residence in John Street North Fremantle and found employment as an Engineer.
In January 1916 Alex went to the Swan Barracks in Perth to enlist in the AIF. He was passed as fit for service with the medical examiner recording his physical attributes as Height of 5 feet 10 & ½ inches; weight of 170lbs; chest measurement of 36-38 inches; dark complexion; greyish blue eyes and brown hair. His religious denomination was Church of England.
Alexis was initially sent to Blackboy Hill Camp where he was assigned to No.48 Training Depot. He was then transferred to Claremont Camp where he was assigned to the 44th Battalion. On the 1st April 1916 Alex was sent to the NCO’s School at Belmont Camp. He spent a month on training here and on the 1st May he was returned to Claremont Camp where he was attached to the 3rd Reinforcements to the 44th Battalion.
This soon changed and Alex was transferred to Blackboy Hill Camp where he was assigned to the 8th Reinforcements to the 48th Battalion. He spent the majority of 1916 in WA as it wasn’t until the 23rd December 1916 that Alex’s reinforcement group embarked from Fremantle on the HMAT Berrima. The journey to England took just under two months as the ship berthed at Devonport Harbour on the 16th February 1917. Alex and his group were then marched into the 12th Training Battalion at Codford Camp on the Salisbury Plains.
Due to his training at the NCO school in WA, Alex was seconded to the staff of the 12th Training Battalion for the next few months and he was given temporary ranks of Corporal and then Sergeant.
On the 2nd July 1917 Alex was put in a draft of soldiers bound for France. He had to give up his training rank of Sergeant and reverted to Private. After a few weeks in the 4th Australian Division Training Depot in Etaples, Alex joined the 48th Battalion on the 21st July 1917. The 48th Battalion were then in the Warneton sector near Messines. On the 18th August 1917 Alex was wounded when shrapnel struck him in the head. Fortunately the wound wasn’t severe and he would spend the next few weeks in hospital care and the convalescent depots. On the 9th October 1917 Alex marched into the 4th Australian Division Depot at Etaples and he would spend the next few weeks here. On the 27th October 1917 he rejoined the 48th Battalion near Ypres. He was fortunate to have missed the Third Battle of Ypres where his unit sustained very heavy casualties.
On the 10th November 1917 Alex was appointed Lance Corporal and seven days later to temporary Corporal. The 4th Division were now sent to the Peronne sector and on the 16th December Alex reverted to the rank of Lance Corporal. In January 1918 the 48th Battalion returned to the Warneton sector in Belgium.
On the 2nd March 1918 Alex was granted a fortnight’s leave to the UK, returning on the 20th March. The following day the Germans launched their massive offensive which broke through the Third and Fifth British Armies. The Australians were sent south to the Somme to meet this German advance. The 3rd and 4th Australian divisions were the first to meet this threat, and the 12th Brigade, to which the 48th Battalion belonged, found itself at Dernancourt. Through late March and early April there were several actions on this front as the Australians defended against the massive German assaults. Alex was again made a temporary Corporal while his platoon Corporal was sent to hospital sick.
After their action at Dernancourt the 48th Battalion moved to the Villers-Bretonneux and Monument Wood sectors in April and May, On the 26th May Alex again reverted to Lance Corporal.
Through June and July 1918 the battalion were in the Corbie and Hamel sectors and provided support during the July4th capture of Hamel village. On the 8th August 1918 the 48th Battalion took part in the successful Amiens offensive which pushed the Germans back. For the next two months the Australians were constantly in action and on the 26th August Alex was promoted to Corporal. A few weeks later on the 16th September 1918 Alex was then promoted to Sergeant. Two days later the 48th Battalion took part in their final action of the war at Le Verguier. They again took all their objectives and during the action Alex once again showed great bravery in the advance. His actions came under notice and he was recommended for bravery. The commendation read;
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the operations near Le Verguier on the 18/9/1918. Organising a section, Sergeant Boyce rushed a machine gun position which was holding up his platoon, capturing the gun and killing two of the enemy. On reaching the final objective, Sgt Boyce led a scouting patrol forward to ascertain the strength of the enemy in advance of the right flank. At great personal risk Sgt Boyce secured valuable information without loss to his party. His work throughout the operations showed tireless energy and set a fine example of courage and determination to the men of his platoon.’
Sergeant Alexis Boyce was subsequently awarded the Military Medal.
Five days after this action Alex left France for England where he was sent on a military course at Hayling Island School. This course lasted four weeks and Alex returned to his unit on the 4th November 1918. Seven days later the Armistice was announced and the 48th Battalion made their way to what had been German occupied Belgium. They remained here for the next few months while the men were gradually sent to England and the transport ship home to Australia.
In February 1919 Alex was still in Belgium and he was granted five days leave. He then returned to the 48th Battalion for a short period and was then sent on to England. On the 1st June 1918 Alex boarded the HMAT Somali and set sail for Australia, arriving back in Fremantle on the 8th July 1919.
In 1924 Alexis Boyce married Mabel Westbury in Perth. He found work as a foreman for the Mt Lyell works and the family resided at Battle Street Cottesloe Beach. He was also a prolific sportsman playing cricket and football for local teams
He died in 1955 aged 66 and was cremated at Karrakatta Cemetery - Memorial Garden Lawn 5 Wall 8 - 0079
Photos courtesy of the Boyce family circa 2015 Fremantle Anzac Centenary