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At Adelaide Railway Station there is on display the Honour Rolls of employees of the South
Australian Railways who enlisted for military service during both World Wars.
The Honour Rolls do not indicate those who made the supreme sacrifice. The
World War 1 Honour Roll is not in alphabetical order but lists the names of
employees in order of enlistment or so railway folklore tells us.
For Remembrance Day on 11th November 2005 a new roll was put up with an
alphabetical listing with instructions on how to find individuals on the main
World War I Honour Roll. There also is on display the photos and medals
awarded for gallantry to three individuals who were to become employees of
the South Australian Railways. These men were heroes who deserve to be
remembered with honour. But what of the servicemen who made the supreme
sacrifice in the service of their country so that we may live in freedom? Do
they not also deserve equal recognition, for are they not also heroes?
In the care of the Union there is photo of
one such individual encased behind a glass frame, his story lost in time. His
name was Joseph William Alexander Boucher. Following is his story or to date
what we know of him. He was an employee of the S.A.R at time of enlistment.
He was also amongst the first ashore at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915. He paid
the supreme sacrifice and this needs to be remembered along with the medal
winners. He was one of us. Lest we Forget.
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LEST WE FORGET
They shall grow not old....as we that are left grow old
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them.
Lest we forget.
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Joseph William Alexander Boucher was
born at Wayville SA circa 1892 and resided at Richmond SA. He was employed by
the South Australian Railways as an Engine Cleaner.
After the outbreak or World War 1 in 1914 he enlisted in the AIF at
Morphettville on the 22nd August 1914 and was taken on strength with
"A" Company of the 10th Battalion AIF and assigned the service
number 208 with the rank of Private.
The 10th Battalion was among the first infantry units raised for the AIF
during the First World War. The battalion was recruited in South Australia and together with the
9th, 11th and 12th Battalions, formed the 3rd Brigade of the First Division AIF.
The battalion was raised within weeks of the declaration of war in August
1914 and embarked for overseas just two months later on the 20th October per A11
HMAT Ascanius. Departing from Outer Harbor with a brief stopover in Albany Western Australia
the battalion sailed to Egypt
arriving there in early December 1914.
The 3rd Brigade was the covering force for the ANZAC landing on 25 April 1915
and so was the first ashore at around 4:30 am. The 10th Battalion was heavily
involved in establishing and defending the front line of the ANZAC position,
and served there until the evacuation in December 1915.
Private Boucher was amongst the first ashore in the landings at Gallipoli on
the 25th April. He was wounded in action between the 25th and 29th of April
most probably on the first day and was not found until the 29th April. He
died from wounds received in action and died at sea aboard A47 HMAT
Mashobra on the 30th April 1915. He is remembered with
Honour with his name entered on the Lone Pine Memorial, memorial reference
32.
The Lone Pine Memorial is at the east end of Lone Pine Cemetery. The LONE PINE
MEMORIAL stands on the site of the fiercest fighting at Lone Pine and
overlooks the whole front line of May 1915. It commemorates more than 4,900
Australian and New Zealand servicemen who died in the Anzac area. Others named on the memorial died at
sea and were buried in Gallipoli waters. The memorial stands in LONE PINE CEMETERY
The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA:1889-1931) Saturday 29 April 1916
ANZAC HEROES
BOUCHER - In loving memory of our dear friend Joe,
who died of wounds while on active service at Gallipoli on the
30th of April.
We often sit and think of him.
How he marched away with the brave;
He left his home and loved ones
To help his country to be saved.
Inserted by his loving friends, Trooper B. Hudd, Private O. C. Pearce, Trooper S. J. Pearce,
on active service,
The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA: 1889-1931) Monday 30 April 1917
HEROES OF THE GREAT WAR
BOUCHER – In Loving memory of Joe, who died of
wounds received at Dardanelles, April 30, 1915.
He gave his life to
save others. What more could a man do?
Inserted by his loving sister and
friend, Alice and Sid.
BOUCHER Died of wounds received at Dardanelles April 30, 1915,
Joe, dearly loved son
of Joseph and Mary Boucher, Richmond. His memory fondly cherished.
Inserted by his parents, sisters, and brothers, and brother Jack (in France).
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