John Boland

John Boland

 John Boland was a local hero.

South Wales Daily Post

In August 1917, John was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. His actions were recorded in the South Wales Daily Post.

John was born in 1883 in Swansea. He was the oldest child of John and Mary Boland. 

Swansea and Surround Areas 
Goal Records

The first record of John is recorded in the Swansea Prison Records, where John, aged 14, was found guilty of Obstruction, and he was sent to prison to serve 2 days sentence.

The first census in which John is recorded is the 1901 Census.

1901 Census

The Boland family was living at 159 Llangyfelach Street.

John, 45, is employed as a General Labourer, and Mary, who is also 45 years old.  Their children are

John, 18; David, 15; Mary, 17; and 12-year-old Catherine.

Also present are three boarders, Samuel Stringer, 46; Thomas Begley, 20; and Samuel Ambre, 14.

Patrick Sullivan, who is 19 years old, is John’s First Cousin.

John married Mary Elizabeth Rees in 1907.

The 1911 Census records that John and Mary were living at 158 Llangyfelach Street

1911 Census

John, who is 28, is employed as a Mason Labourer, whilst Mary is 26 years old.

They have a 2-year-old son, who is also named John.

During the First World War, John served with the local Swansea Battalion, Welsh Regiment.

Having been ranked a Sergeant, John was awarded the DCM. He was later wounded in the head.

John went with the Welsh Regiment to the Salonica Army, where he fought on the Bulgarian Front.

John, who was later ranked Company Serjeant Major, was also awarded the Medal Militaire and the Greek MC.

Following the First World War, John, who at the time of the 1921 Census, had returned home to 158 Llangyfelach Street

1921 Census

The Boland family had grown by this time.

John, 38, a Builders Store Keeper, was employed by Swansea Corporation Architect Department E. C. Morgan. Mary, was 36 years old.  Their children were

William, 13; David J., 10; Thomas, 6; and 1-year-old Mary.

Months before his death, John was suffering from malaria, which accelerated his death.

South Wales Daily Post

 John Boland 
Danygraig Cemetery
credit - findagrave

Following his death, John was buried at Danygraig Cemetery, and his funeral was reported in the South Wales Daily Post.