The Boardman Family
My wife Ann's maiden name is Boardman. Her Dad, John was better known as Jack.
He was born in 1913, the son of Edward Boardman b1878 and Mary Hannah Bambury b1883.
At the time of birth the 'residence' was 38 North Road, Cobridge, Stoke-on-Trent. During his lifetime he worked at a hardware/ironmongers shop, Pidduck & Beardmore, in Burslem, Stoke on Trent, and for the GPO (later known as BT or British Telecom) in Hanley, S-o-T. He had already done his 'National Service' when the Second World War broke out in 1939.
He married Mary Bosworth on the 23rd April 1939, at St Paul's Church in Burslem, his occupation at the time shows as Post Office Wireman. John and Mary had 3 daughters, Ann, Jacqueline and Dorothy.
Because of recent Army service he was called up at the start of World War 2 and quickly rose through the ranks to Sergeant Major. Although he had to serve under terrible conditions in Burma, witnessing terrible scenes, he was loathe to talk about these experiences. I am aware of him being honoured by The Queen with The Imperial Service Medal. A detailed account of Jack's military service is at the bottom of this page.
At the end of the war he returned to his GPO employment, serving in total, over 40 years, rising to the rank of Inspector; he was an engineer by trade.
During his married life he lived at various addresses 20 St Paul's Street , Burslem (from where he got married), and Barks Drive in Norton, but was very proud to be able to buy his own house in Preston Street, Smallthorne, upon his retirement.
This is probably one of the last pictures taken of Jack and Mary together. The occasion was the marriage of the second daughter Jacqueline to John Brookes on 6th May 1988.
John Boardman – Army Career 1931-1937
EnlistedWoolwich 10th December 1931 – Demobilised 9th December 1937 - sent to Army Reserve with the rank of Lance Bombardier, Royal Artillery (Field).
During this time John passed through the ranks of Gunner/Signaller, Driver in Charge and Lance Bombardier. He passed 3rd, 2nd and 1st Class Certificates of Education and Technical Storeman training. It would appear that John extended his Service (was this voluntary or imposed?) ‘To Complete 6 Years with The Colours'.
His career during this period was not documented by the army in any detail but was subject to annual appraisal review e.g. ‘Clean, sober and honest'.
Upon discharge in 1937 the testimonial given was: ‘Lance Bombardier Boardman is a good and reliable worker. He has been a signaller for four years and a driver of light and heavy vehicles for three years. He is a good driver and reliable. He understands wireless.
He has passed an educational course. He is honest, sober and trustworthy.’
1939 - 1946 WWII
06.11.39 Mobilised at Sandown Racecourse
11.01.40 Sent from Military School of Science to 65th Regiment Royal Artillery Army Field Workshops.
04.02.40 Posted to France as Lance Bombardier
15.03.40 Attached to vehicle Maintenance School
03.04.40 Promoted to Acting Bombardier – paid
29.05.40 Returned to UK (Evacuated from British Expeditionary Force
25.06.40 Granted 4 days leave – presumably to see his baby daughter, Ann
03.07.40 Promoted to Bombardier
05.08.40 Promoted to Acting Sergeant
01.02.41 Granted War-Substantive rank of Sergeant
08.05.41 Passed trade test as Technical Storeman - appointed Technical storeman
27.02.42 Posted to Anti-Tank Regiment
23.05.42 ‘Disembarked’ UK for Bangalore
06.08.43 Posted to 69AA/A ‘India’ ?
25.10.43 Posted to 51/69 Royal Artillery India
24.01.44 ‘Concessional Area’ until 11th May 1944
01.06.44 28 Days Leave
21.07.44 Awarded 1939-43 Star (India)
27.07.44 Attached to Survey Training College where he gained qualification Q2- High Grade Cipher Skills.
26.08.44 Transferred to Royal Corp of Signals as Cipher Operator.
01.04.45 Posted to 34th Indian Corp of Signals
20.04.45 Admitted to hospital. (Was this his arm injury?)
April1945 Appointed to War Substantive rank of Company Sergeant Major effective from 1st April 1945
10.08.45 Posted to Bombay Signals
27.09.45 Proceeded to Demobilisation
03.10.45 Embarked HM Britannic for UK from Bombay
The following are the actual words of his Major’s commendation: “Company Sergeant Major John Boardman has been under my command since 16.8.44 and has given me entirely satisfactory service in the duties he has performed. He is quiet, hard working and efficient and has been thoroughly dependable”
Medals awarded to John Boardman were:
The 1939-43 Star (India)
The 1939-1945 War Medal
The Burma Star
The Defence Medal.
02.02.46 Released to Royal Army Reserve
10.02.54 Allocated to Army General Reserve
29.09.58 No further liability for recall (Aged 45)
Mary passed away on the 16th December the same year.
Jack, as he was known to family and friends, was devastated at the death of his wife, Mary, in 1988 and needed a lot of care and attention from his daughters, but remained independent in his own home, until the age of 83, when he went into residential care.
He passed away in October 1998, leaving 3 daughters, 5 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren.
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Contact me at kenmorse@kenmorse.co.uk
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