Private Eric Frank Boyle

Eric Frank Murray Boyle was born at Rockhampton, Queensland, on 18 September 1897, to parents George and Elizabeth née Murray. On 4 March 1916 he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force, giving his occupation as a stockman.

Boyle embarked at Brisbane with the 18th reinforcements of the 15th Battalion aboard HMAT Seang Choon on 4 May 1916. He also played the trombone with the 15th Battalion Band. He returned to Australia aboard HMAT Beltana on 2 June 1919, having served with the AIF for three years and 183 days.

Boyle married Colleen Rose Going Talbot on 7 February 1925 and they had two children, Eric Frank Murray Boyle and Ray Frank Boyle. Their son, Eric, died in 1926. Approximately 3 months later, Boyle was trapping opossums on Marylands Station, near St Lawrence, Queensland with a friend when the the vehicle they were travelling in backfired and caught fire whilst repairs were being made.

On 30 September 1940, when he was 43 and working as a telegraph linesman, Boyle again enlisted in the army . He joined the No 1 Garrison Battalion and was serving with 15 Garrison when he applied for a discharge , which he received on 16 May 1941.

Boyle lived for most of his life in the Capricornia area of Queensland at Rockhampton, St Lawrence and Mount Morgan. Eric Boyle died in Queensland in 1967. His wife , Colleen, continued to live at Mount Morgan from 1968 until her death in 1985.