Frederick+Boast

Boast, Fredrick, DCM. (Died of Wounds)

Fredrick Boast was born in Burton upon Trent in 1894, the son of an Inn Keeper, Robert Boast and his wife Maris. They lived at 40 High Street, Tutbury, Staffordshire. The 1911 census records Fredrick working at Vicar Wood Farm as a Waggoner for Mr William Naylor. He joined the army and was eventually posted to the 3rd Dragoon Guards (Prince of Wales' Own). By 1917 he was a Lance Corporal, service number 13038. He died on the 25th June 1917 and was buried in Villers-Faucon Cemetery.

He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. The London Gazette reported on the 17th June 1917 13038 Pte. F. Boast, D. Gds. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He carried messages all day under heavy fire, and later, although wounded, continued his work. His courage was a fine example to the men.

Villers-Faucon was captured by the 5th Cavalry Division on the 27th March 1917, lost on the 22nd March 1918, and retaken by the III Corps on 7th September 1918. The Commonwealth graves in the Communal Cemetery are those of the soldiers who died in February to August 1917. The communal cemetery contains 227 First World War burials, five of them unidentified, and 91 German graves.


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