| Andrew Boyd was the son of Hugh and Margaret Ann Boyd. Hugh Boyd and Margaret Fowler were married on 25th December 1880 in the district of Banbridge.
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| Andrew Boyd was born on 5th August 1885 in Seapatrick, County Down. He was one of five children.
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| Family: Hugh Boyd, Margaret Ann Boyd, Robert Henry Boyd (born 6th May 1881, Dungannon), Mary Minnie Boyd (born 27th May 1883, Banbridge), Andrew Boyd (born 5th August 1885, Banbridge), Margaret Boyd (born 27th May 1888, Banbridge), Hugh Boyd (born 20th November 1891, Dungannon).
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| It seems Hugh Boyd died on 23rd May 1896 in the Dungannon area. Andrew would have been ten years old.
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| The 1901 census lists Andrew as living with the family at house 29 in Ballysaggart, Derrygortrevy, Dungannon. He was 15 years old and was employed as a weaver in a factory. Andrew’s mother was a widow who worked as a reeler in a spinning mill.
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| Andrew was a member of Dungannon Total Abstinence L.O.L. No. 1229 and of the Dungannon Conservative Flute Band.
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| Andrew Boyd and Margaret Smith were married on 5th September 1905 in Belfast.
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| Known family: Andrew Boyd, Margaret Boyd, Samuel Boyd (born 8th November 1906), Margaret Boyd (born 18th July 1909), Andrew Boyd (born 20th October 1910).
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| By the time of his death, Margaret and he had six children. The names of the other three children are not confirmed.
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| The 1911 census lists Andrew as living with his wife and children at house 15 in Union Place, Dungannon. Andrew was a painter.
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| Andrew served his apprenticeship as a painter with Mr Nixon of Dungannon. He had worked for him for 16 years.
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| Andrew Boyd enlisted in Omagh, County Tyrone around January 1916.
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| Private Boyd was serving with the 10th Battalion of The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action in France on 17th December 1917, aged 31
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| Private Boyd went through the 'push' all right, but the Battalion had to go in to repel a German counter attack and he was killed by a shell in the front line.
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| From the Belfast Newsletter dated 22nd December 1917:
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| Private Andrew Boyd, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, Union Place, Dungannon, killed in action. He was a member of Dungannon Total Abstinence L.O.L. No. 1229 and of the Dungannon Conservative Flute Band.
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| From the Tyrone Courier and Dungannon News dated Thursday 3 January 1918:
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| Mrs Boyd, Union Place, Dungannon, has received official intimation that her husband, Private Andrew Boyd, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, was killed in action in France, on the 7th December 1917. Prior to enlistment, he was engaged in the painting trade, having served his apprenticeship with Mr Nixon, Dungannon, in whose employment he remained for sixteen years. He was an enthusiastic member of the Ulster Volunteer Force and of the Conservative Flute Band and was also connected with L.O.L No 1229. He had been two years in the army and leaves a wife and six children with whom the greatest sympathy is felt. The Rev. J G Paton, Chaplain to the Forces, in a letter to Mrs Boyd states that her husband went through the 'push' all right, but then they had to go in to repel a German counter attack and he was killed by a shell in the front line. He had not been long with them, but he proved himself a true man and gained the respect of his officers and colleagues, who all deeply regretted his loss. They had been through a very hot time and our boys had covered themselves in glory again, but as always the people at home had to pay the price. Private Boyd was buried beside his comrades near that line which he had done so much to defend.
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| Private Boyd was buried beside his comrades near that line. Unfortunately that grave could not be found and he is commemorated on Cambrai Memorial, Louverval, France.
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| The Cambria Memorial photo above has been kindly donated by Bob Pike, courtesy of Carrie Pike, via the Great War Forum.
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| From the Tyrone Courier and Dungannon News dated 12 December 1918: In Memorial
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| In Loving Memory of my dear husband, No 27166 Private Andrew Boyd, 10th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers who was killed in action at Bourlan Wood, France on 7th December 1917.
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'Dear husband for you I grieve, my loss is hard to bear
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But for the little ones you left behind, for your dear sake I'll care
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Father in the gracious keeping, we leave our soldier daddy sleeping'
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| Deeply regretted by his sorrowing wife and children, Margaret Boyd, Union Place.
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| Private Andrew Boyd is commemorated locally on Dungannon War Memorial and on the WWI Roll of Honour in St Anne's Church Of Ireland in Dungannon.
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