Finding a First World War soldier via his No.1A Folding Pocket Kodak camera
Since unexpectedly finding a First World nurse’s camera and researching her early life and wartime service, I have hoped to find other cameras with links to those who served. I was fortunate to acquire another camera via eBay which lead to the discovery of a courageous young man’s sacrifice during the Great War.
Second Lieutenant Thomas Boyle’s Kodak Camera
I acquired the No.1A Folding Pocket Kodak on Ebay along with its original case. Fading for over a century, Lieutenant Boyle’s name, regiment and home address are nevertheless still readable on the inside top of the case.

His camera is a Model C with serial number 102381. Like all Model C cameras it has a wooden lens panel, but being a late model of the series it has an improved shutter with four apertures and was made some time between March 1907 and March 1909. It is in very good condition.

Thomas Houston Boyle was born on the 14th September 1891 in Rosevale, Port Glasgow, Renfrewshire. He was the fourth son of James Boyle, a Spirit Merchant’s assistant, and Sarah Boyle (nee Wilson). His wartime story is told here through articles in his local newspaper, the Port-Glasgow Express.

Port-Glasgow Express, Friday 28 August 1914
Recruiting in the Port. ADDITIONAL LIST.
Port-Glasgow is doing its share with recruiting for Lord Kitchener’s new army, and there was again a good response at the Constitutional Buildings last night. Ex- Provost M’Master was the presiding J.P., and the total number of recruits from Port-Glasgow is now 39. The names added on Wednesday and last night are: James Harrington, John O’Connor, Thomas Boyle, John Carson Miller, Joseph Freeman, John Elliot, Janes O’Rourke, Matthew Spica, Thomas Cavanagh, Donald Alexander, Alex. Young, William Patterson, John Rooney, Joseph Williams, Charles Weir. Recruiting will be resumed to-night, and again on Monday and following nights.
Port-Glasgow Express, Wednesday 12 May 1915
Lieut. Thomas Boyle.
Our readers will be pleased to learn that Mr James Boyle, Deveron Bank, Barr’s Brae, has received intimation that his son, Corporal Thomas Boyle of the Royal Scots Fusiliers, has been promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant. Lieutenant Boyle, who graduated MA. at, Glasgow University with first-class honours, was a Divinity student. It is interesting to note that Mr Boyle has other three sons in the Army, namely— James, Quartermaster Sergeant in the 2nd Battalion Gordon Highlanders; William, who is with the Canadian contingent; and Allan, who is connected with the Scots Greys.
Port-Glasgow Express, Wednesday 18 October 1916
Lieut. Thomas H. Boyle. KILLED IN ACTION.
The sad intelligence reached Port-Glasgow yesterday that 2nd Lieut. Thomas H. Boyle, fourth son of Mr and Mrs James Boyle, residing at, Deveron Bank. Port. Glasgow, had been killed in action in France. Deceased, who was about twenty four years of ago, was a divinity student, and an M.A. of Glasgow University. He was finishing his divinity course when the war broke out. He enlisted as a private in the Cameron Highlanders, and was afterwards gazetted as 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Scots Fusiliers. He received his early education in Jean Street School, and later at Greenock Academy. He was a well-known and highly popular member of Port-Glasgow Amateur Rowing Club, and for several years discharged the duties of secretary with much acceptance. His name is to be found on the club’s roll of honour, and he is the second member from the old club to make the supreme sacrifice…

The tragic day
Thomas is remembered in the University of Glasgow Roll of Honour, where I discovered more information about how he died.
Of the 7th battalion, he was attached to the 2nd Royal Scots Fusiliers at the Somme. On the afternoon of the 12th October, their left flank attack on German trenches at the Battle of le Transloy was halted by enemy fire. Fighting in appalling conditions, very little ground was taken and casualties were high. 2nd Lieutenant Thomas Houston Boyle was killed in action, along with John Steel Allan and James Ross, contemporaries in the Arts Faculty of the University of Glasgow.

Thomas had been an exceptional student, beginning his studies at the University of Glasgow in 1909. He took Ordinary Latin and Greek in his first year, and went on to attain a First Class degree with Honours in Logic and Metaphysics, graduating in November 1913.
Thiepval Memorial
Thomas is buried at Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France along with another 72309 war dead.
My Intentions
Fortunately, readily available 120 medium format film can be used in cameras designed to take 116 film. I thought it appropriate to load it with film and use it to take photographs of local war memorials. I will do this in the course of the next few weeks.
