WW! Royal Engineers Mesopotamia

[meadows19]

Hello, First time posting. I am trying to find any information about My Great Uncle John Boyle 205599 Sapper Royal Engineers Inland Water Transport. He died In Mesopotamia in 17 November 1917. Any information regarding his unit and possibly war diaries of the unit, and where (if) he would be buried or commemorated, would be greatly appreciated. Thank you Lesley

[MaxD]

Lesley

Warm welcome to Rootschat.  Your great uncle's service record has survived and you really should see it for yourself.  He was accidentally drowned on 13 November 1917 (not 17th) when he and a local man were thrown into the water by the capsizing of a barge.  He died trying to save the man.  There are many pages of the court of enquiry that convened to establish the circumstances.

He was buried in the Basra War cemetery https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/509401/boyle,-/  There is a mistake with his number, the grave registration details down the page are correct.  Sadly, the cemetery suffered badly in the recent conflicts, need to do a bit more work to find the present situation.

His unit shows only "Inland Water Transport", can't at the moment find a war diary.  However, his record will tell a story, I'll take a closer look at it today for you.

Meanwhile, you might like to join Findmypast with a short subscription where you will find and can download his record.

More later.

MaxD

[meadows19]

OH MY Thank you very much for this information I will definitely do as you suggested.
Thank you again
Lesley

[Pelican]

Hello and Welcome

My father was with the Inland Water Transport as well. My son found this book "The Inland Water Transport in Mesopotamia" by Lt Col L J Hall OBE. You may well like to read about this incredible feat. https://archive.org/details/inlandwatertrans00hall   Excellent book.

My father survived but his records did not. They were caught up in the fire in the archives in WWII.

Good Reading
Pelican

[MaxD]

Well found Pelican!

MaxD

PS Lesley when you join FindMyPast, unless you want to stay with them, make sure to uncheck Autorenew when you get to it!

MaxD

[MaxD]

The most recent reports on the Basra cemetery make depressing reading.  Essentially it has been destroyed.  The memorial book remains and you can get a copy of his entry from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

MaxD

[MaxD]

Page 321 of the book that Pelican cites has a picture of the type of vessel, a "Motor Bellum",  involved in the accident.

Brief outilne of his service:
Joined in Belfast  2 Oct 1916  Served in UK until 4 Nov 1916, arrived Basra Mesopotamia 5 Nov 1916.
Had a few short spells in hospital at Makina Masus (sometimes written Masul), (near Basra)
Accidentally drowned 13 November 1917, buried at Makin Masus cemetery (since incorporated into Basra War Cemetery).

MaxD

[meadows19]

Thankyou all for your help it is much appreciated
Lesley