Karl Ernest BODDINGTON
Born 1889 in Billingshurst, Sussex, England [20] [21]
Son of butler and later commission agent Frank BODDINGTON and Annie BAILEY [20] [21]
He was one of five children with younger siblings Horace Frank, Nora Annie, Marjorie Joyce and a fourth who died young [20]
In 1891 he was residing with his parents at 57 Redburn Street in Chelsea, London, England [20]
He was living with his parents and younger siblings Horace and Nora in Carshalton, Surrey, England in 1901 [20]
Departed London, England on the steamship Omrah on 19 February 1909 bound for Melbourne, Victoria, Australia [203]
He travelled unaccompanied at the age of 19 years and gave his occupation as both Labourer and Tinsmith [203] [338]
By 1912 he'd shifted to Western Australia and was working as a farmhand at South Kwollyn in the Kellerberrin district [50]
He appears to have resided in Moora, Western Australia from later 1912 to 1915 [9] [10]
During August 1912 he won the gentleman's prize in a competition to guess how long a candle would burn [9: 9-Aug-1912]
The candle was in the shop window of Keamy & Co in Moora and burnt for 91 hours 17 minutes (his guess was 90 hours) [9]
Donated five shillings to the benefit for Lionel W. BATGER of Moora who had lost one of his eyes in 1914 [9: 23-Jan-1914, 6-Mar-1914]
In 1914 he was working for the government helping to sink wells between Dalwallinu and Perenjori [10: 24-Jul-1914]
He returned to Moora on Friday 17 July 1914 and the next day left by train on his way to Sydney [10: 24-Jul-1914]
From Sydney he planned to travel to England via Honolulu and Vancouver, but appears to have remained in Australia [10] [203] [204]
After travelling back to WA from Melbourne on the steamship Indarra, he arrived in Moora on 22 October 1914 [10: 23-Oct-1914]
He was among those from Moora who attended the Christmas meeting of the Western Australian Turf Club in Perth [10: 1-Jan-1915]
Married Iris Isobel SELWAY on Saturday 3 July 1915 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Perth [390: 17-Jul-1915]
Enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) at Blackboy Hill military camp in the Perth hills on 2 June 1915 [30: item 3095282]
Upon enlistment he was 6 feet tall, weighed 150 pounds and had brown eyes, dark hair and a medium complexion [30]
He'd previously served 18 months in England with the Surrey Yeamonry, which was a volunteer cavalry of the British Army [30]
Embarked from Fremantle, Western Australia for active service abroad on the H.M.A.T. A36 Anchises on 2 September 1915 [30]
Served in the 11th and 51st Battalions on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey, in Egypt and in France during the First World War [30]
He was promoted from Private to Lance Corporal on 8 Mach 1916, to Corporal on 8 July 1916, to Sergeant on 17 July 1917 [30]
In 1918 he was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on 2 February and then to Lieutenant on 10 December [30]
During the war he suffered dysentery and a sprained ankle but after returning home described his condition as "first rate" [30]
After returning home he was staying with his wife in the coastal Perth suburb of Cottesloe in August 1919 [81: 17-Aug-1919]
From September to November 1919 he and his wife lived at a flat at 63 Malcolm Street in West Perth [81: 21-Sep-1919, 2-Nov-1919]
His A.I.F. appointment was terminated on 7 October 1919; received the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal [30]
Farmer in Three Springs, Western Australia in 1919 and 1920 [9: 7-May-1920] [19] [81: 21-Dec-1924]
He had settled in Three Springs by December of 1919 [19]
His farm was 929 acres 15 miles north-east of Three Springs and consisted of Lots M816 and M818 of Victoria Location 2020 [81]
He appears to have purchased both lots from his brother-in-law D. John SELWAY, who'd acquired them in 1913-14 and 1919 [27] [44]
The land was described as "good clay soil with a few stony outcrops" that was "timbered with salmon, yorkgum and jam" trees [81]
He was charged, knocked over and seriously wounded by a boar pig on his farm in Three Springs on 28 April 1920 [10: 7-May-1920]
He'd been chasing the boar away from his haystack and was rescued by his mother-in-law who drove the boar off with a stick [10]
Police constable Charlie KROSCHEL had him taken to Three Springs by car and then by train to hospitals in Moora and Perth [10]
He later underwent an operation for his injuries in Perth but did not survive [9: 14-May-1920]
Died 7 May 1920; buried at the Karrakatta Cemetery in Perth, Western Australia (Anglican, AA, 146A) [2]
His estate, granted to his widow, was valued for probate at £1,525 [81: 11-Jun-1920]
His Three Springs farm remained in his name until 1924 when the Agricultural Bank offered it for purchase by tender [81: 21-Dec-1924]
At that time 240 acres of the farm were cleared, 10 acres partly cleared, 400 acres were rung and about seven acres fallowed [81]
The farm contained a galvanised iron hut, shed, 1000-yard dam, 30-foot well with mill and 217 chains of 3 and 4-wire fencing [81]
From The Moora Herald and Midland Districts Advocate newspaper, Friday 7 May 1920:
Gored by a Boar Pig
"On the 28th inst Karl Boddington, late lieutenant of the A.I.F., and now owner of a farm 15 miles from Three Springs, was severely gored by a boar pig. It appears that Boddington was driving the pig from a hay stack, when the animal charged him, knocked him down and, whilst he was on the ground, continued the attack, with the result that the unfortunate man received terrible gashes on the two thights and the calf of the left leg. Mr Boddington's mother-in-law came to the rescue, and drove off the pig with a stick. he victim applied first aid to himself, but it was sometime before hemorrhage ceased, and he was much weakened by loss of blood. Constable Kroschel, who had been informed, arrived at the farm, and had Boddington conveyed by motor car to Three Springs, from which place he was taken by train to Moora, where after being detained at the hospital for treatment, he was subsequently removed to Perth."
From The Moora Herald and Midland Districts Advocate newspaper, Friday 14 May 1920:
Personal
"On Friday last the death occurred, at Perth, of Mr Karl Boddington, late lieutenant of the A.I.F., at the age of 30 years. It will be remembered that the late Mr Boddington was badly gored by a boar pig on his farm 15 miles from Three Springs, on April 29 and was taken to Perth for treatment, succumbing as a result of the injuries inflicted bu the pig."
From The Midlands Advertiser newspaper, Friday 14 May 1920:
Three Springs Notes
"Extreme regret was expressed throughout Three Springs and district when the sad news that Mr K. Boddington had passed away in Perth, death following an operation which had been found necessary owing to the severe injuries he had received through his recent attack by a boar. Deceased who was a Lieutenant in the A.I.F. had only returned six months back and was highly respected by all with whom he came in contact. Deep sympathy is felt here for his young wife and family."
From The Daily News newspaper, Friday 14 May 1920:
The Late Mr Karl Ernest Boddington
"The funeral of the late Mr Karl Ernest Boddington, late Lieutenant 51st Battalion, A.I.F., and of Three Springs, who died in Perth on 6th inst. as the result of an accident whilst engaged on his farm at Three Springs, took place on Saturday afternoon last, the 8th inst. The deceased, who was but 30 years of age, was born in Surrey, England, and had been a resident of Western Australia for the past 11 years. He had only recently returned from active service, and was highly popular and esteemed by all with whom he came in contact, and his death at such an early age is much regretted. The cortege, which moved from the private mortuary of Messrs Donald J. Chipper and Son, 844 Hay street, Perth, proceeded to the Anglican portion of the Karrakatta Cemetery, where the remain were interred in the presence of a large gathering of friends of Masonic brethren. The chief mourners were Mrs Iris Boddington (widow), Mr and Mrs G. F. Ellemor, and Mr E. A. Stenning. Others present were Messrs W. Mackie, W. Blitz, M. W. Bromhill, W. Buckeridge, F. E. Sedgley, F. Gates, H. D. Moseley, W. E. Hayes, T. G. Grier, R. Miller, A. Rowland, and R. Brown. Numerous wreathes and floral tributes were received. The Rev. J. P. Davoren officiated at the graveside, and the funeral arrangements were in the hands of Messrs Donald J. Chipper and Son, Perth."
From The Moora Herald and Midland Districts Advocate newspaper, Friday 21 May 1920:
Returned Soldiers League Notes [By "Digger]
"The Branch offers its sympathy to Mrs Boddington whose husband was well known in this town. Boddington did his 'bit'; fought Fritz for four years; faced shot and shell and came through safely and had to 'Go West' through being gored by a fierce pig. Surely it is hard for a noble lad to meet such a reward after all he had faced."
| Reference: Carnamah Historical Society & Museum and North Midlands Project, 'Karl Ernest Boddington' in Biographical Dictionary of Coorow, Carnamah and Three Springs, retrieved 26 December 2024 from www.carnamah.com.au/bio/karl-ernest-boddington [reference list] |
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