Community & Business
8 November, 2021
Boyes Family medals now homed at RSL
With Remembrance Day to be observed this week, Thursday November 11th will serve as a day to recognise those who fought for our country in times of war, like those members of the Boyes family who have strong connections to Pittsworth and have served our country for generations.
The Boyes family’s history of serving in the Australian Defence Force dates back a long way, starting with Fred Boyes who served in the Boer War and World War One.
Fred and his wife Mabel lived in Pittsworth and had eight children under 16-years-old.
A number of Fred’s sons followed in his footsteps and went on to serve in World War Two, including Sergeant Douglas Boyes, who left Sydney headed for the Middle East with the First Signals Corps Unit on Queen Mary on October 26th 1940.
But the family’s history of fighting for our country doesn’t stop there, as Douglas’ sons also became Army Soldiers.
Private David Boyes and Lance Corporal Ross Boyes both served in the Vietnam War, and Ross, who was a signaller like his father, also served in New Guinea, Hawaii and West Germany.
Ross and David both grew up in Pittsworth prior to joining the Army, so had strong connections to the town.
Sadly, both men passed away in March this year just three days apart, and David was laid to rest at the Pittsworth Cemetery where their father Douglas is also buried.
Before they died, they expressed their desire for their war medals to be returned to the Pittsworth RSL Sub-Branch for display and safekeeping.
A few months after they passed away, Ross’ wife Jenny, daughter Vanessa and granddaughter Jasmine travelled to Pittsworth from the Sunshine Coast to share their story and pass over Ross’ and Douglas’ war medals.
Jenny also shared a great deal of paperwork that provides an extensive amount of history dating back to WWI.
David’s war medals were also given to the RSL by his brother Paul Boyes who served in Malaysia.
The Boyes family medals are now on display in the Pittsworth RSL rooms for viewing.
