The funeral took place at Pitminster parish churchyard… of Gunner A Board, of the Royal Field Artillery, youngest son of Mr and Mrs W Board… who died in the 3rd Southern General Hospital, Oxford… from wounds received in action on 29th October. Deceased was only 21 years of age, and was buried with full military honours. Having been a former Boy Scout members of the Taunton and Trull Troops attended as a last tribute of respect and sympathy.

Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser: Wednesday 26th December 1917

Concrete information about the young life of Albert Board is destined to remain lost to time, but entries in the 1901 and 1911 censuses suggest that he had been born in Willesden, Middlesex. His parents were William and Annie Board, and the family moved to Pitminster, Somerset, at some point between the two documents.

One of seven children, by 1911 Albert had left school, and had found work as an errand boy. The youngest of the household, he was living with two older siblings – William, who was employed as a gardener; and collar making sister, Lily – and his parents. William, by this time, was working as a boot repairer.

When war came to Britain’s shores, Albert stepped up to play his part. He had enlisted in the Royal Field Artillery by the summer of 1917, and was attached to the 168th Brigade. Private Board fought on the Western Front, and may have been involved in the Arras Offensive of 1917.

Caught up in the fighting on 29th October, he was injured, and medically evacuated to Britain for treatment. He was admitted to the hospital in Oxford, but succumbed to his wounds on 10th December 1917. He was just 21 years of age.

Albert Board’s body was brought back to Somerset for burial. He was laid to rest with all due ceremony, in the quiet graveyard of Saint Mary and Saint Andrew’s Church, Pitminster.

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