Name
Antonio William Boldini
15 Aug 1894
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
27/04/1918
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
37948
Royal Berkshire Regiment
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ADELAIDE CEMETERY, VILLERS-BRETONNEUX
II. N. 9.
France
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
Harpenden Town Memorial
Pre War
Antonio William was born on 15 Aug 1894 in Hackney, London to Guiseppe (sometimes known as Joseph) Francisco Tito Maria Boldini, an artist and sculptor born in Ferrara, Italy and Sarah Jane (nee Baker).
By the 1901 Census Antonio was living with his Uncle and Aunt as his Father had died in 1898 and His Mother died in 1904. By the 1911 Census Antonio was working as a compositor in the print trade but living in the National Children’s Home in Bonner Road, Bethnal Green. He married Rose May Wilkinson in early 1917.
His connection to Harpenden is not yet apparent.
Wartime Service
Antonio (known to the Army as William) enlisted in Princess Charlotte of Wales’s Royal Berkshire Regiment as Private 37948.
He was initially posted to 1st/4th Battalion but was later transferred to 2nd Battalion. 2nd Berks were part of 5th Army and had been engaged in the Battles of the Somme in 1918 opposing the German advances during their Spring Offensive. The town of Villers–Bretonneux had been occupied in April 1918 and during the 2nd Battle of Villers-Bretonneux (24 -27 April) the 2nd Royal Berks, accompanying a tank in a spontaneous attack managed to push the Germans back about 150 yards, beginning the recapture of the town. During this attack on the 24 Apr 1918 that Antonio was killed.
Additional Information
War gratuity of £4 and arrears of £5 2s 4d was paid to his widow.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
