HENRY BOON

Private Henry Boon was killed in action on 15 June 1917. He had been brought up in his family's home in Sawyers' Arms Road in Papanui, but at the time of his enlistment was living in Palmerston North and working as a labourer. He gave his next of kin as a friend, Miss Edith Anderson, rather than a family member. Henry Boon had obviously found the adjustment from civilian to soldier somewhat difficult, being punished with periods of being confined to barracks for “talking in the ranks” and being “absent without leave”, as well as 48 hours' detention for “obtaining leave under false pretences.” He arrived in France in December 1916, where he joined the 1st Battalion of the Canterbury Infantry Regiment. He served in the front line around Armentieres until his involvement in the Battle of Messines, where he was killed in a night attack by his company on the area around La Basse-Ville. His brother William died of influenza while training in 1918.

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