Bertie Walter Boyce (184) was a Yeoman Warder at the Tower of London From: 3 March 1919 replacing Thomas Middleton (127), to 31 July 1937, when he was replaced by Arthur Kenny (216) previously he was a Squadron Sergeant Major with the 7th (Princess Royal’s) Dragoon Guards.

Bertie was born 12 December 1872, at Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, his father Alfred Boyce (b 1841) his mother Ellen Boyce (nee Pateman b 1840), his mother and father had married 9 October 1864 at All Saints Church Kempston, Bedford.  Bertie was one of seven children

Bertie enlisted on the 17 August 1896 at Norwich (aged 23) into the 7th Royal Dragoon Guards, he had the Army no. 4173 and 20430.

1. Corp of Drums Attested Pte 17 Aug 1896
2. 7 Dragoons R Posted Pte 19 Aug 1896
3. I hereby elect to come under the conditions contained in SAO 2 Apr 1898
4. B Boyce Pte VII Dragoons
5. Appointed L/Cpl 1 Sep 1898
6. Promoted Cpl 3 Jan 1900
7. Appointed L/Sgt 14 Mar 1901
8. Promoted Sgt 22 Apr 1901
9. Appointed Sgt Instructor Sgt 2 Jan 1902
10. Reverted to L/Sgt L/Sgt 21 Apr 1903
11. Extended service to 12 Years 9 Jun 1903
12. 7th Dragoon Guards Promoted Sgt 14 Aug 1903
13. Promoted SSM Inst 17 Jun 1907
14. Re-engaged from the Corp of Dragoons at Canterbury 23 Jun 1908 for 21 Years
15. Appointed SQMS 30 Aug 1908
16. York Barracks PS Attached SQMS 8 Nov 1912
17. Promoted W0 Class II & Appointed SSM 29 Jan 1915
18. 6th Reserve Cavalry Posted SSM W0 Class II 12 Feb 1917
19. 1/1st York Barracks Posted SSM  W0 Class II 21 Jun 1917
20. 1/1st York Barracks Appointed A/RSM 2 Sep 1917
21.1/1st York Barracks
a. Reverted to previous Rank SSM 30 Mar 1918
b. on ceasing to preform duties
22. 18 British Training Force depot 7th Dragoons ACT 1112/16  2 May 1918
23. 6th Reserve 7th Dragoons Posted SSM 18 May 1918
24. 6th Reserve 7th Dragoons, Granted under AO 1918 to draw pension while serving from 16 Aug 1918 26 Jul 1918
25.6th Reserve 7th Dragoons, Continues in service under Military Service Act (Section 2) 1916SSM
26. 2 Dispersal unit Posted SSM 20 Feb 1919

Has served overseas
Total service towards engagement 20 Mar 1919 22 years 216 days

He had two entries in the defaulters book the first at Mori Rivers on 25 October 1903 as sergeant he was drunk in town and given a severe reprimand 31 Oct 1903, and he was absence on the 4th  February 1910, charged with neglect of Duty and sentenced to Documentary severe reprimanded 10 February 1910.

He served abroad
Bertie Boyce joined at the age of 23 and 6 months
Home                 17 Aug 1898 to 7 Feb 1900 3 years 195 days
South Africa      5 Feb 1900 to 18 Aug 1900 192 days
Home                19 Aug 1900 to 14 Jul 1903 2 Years 330 days
South Africa     15 Jul 1903 to 8 Aug 1904 1 Years 25 days
Home                  9 Aug 1904 to 16 Sep 1908 4 years 38 days
Egypt                 17 Sep 1910 to 2 Oct 1910 2 years 16 days
India                   3 Oct 1910 to 8 Nov 1912 2year 34 days
Home                 9 Nov 1912 to 21 Jun 1914 4 years 225 days
BEF                    22 Jun 1917 to 1 May 1918 314 Days
Home                2 May 1918 to 16 Aug 1918 109 days
Home               17 Aug 1918 to 20 Mar 1919 216 Days

Bertie was discharged on the 20th March 1919, and had the following medals
1. The Queen’s South Africa (QSA) Medal Clasps:
a. Cape Colony,
b. Orange Free State
2. British War Medal
3. British Victory Medal
4. Long Service Good Conduct LS&GC
5. 1937 Coronation Medal – 15 May 1937

On the 20th October 1904 he married Alice nee Gatsom in Cambridge (she was born 12 March 1880 in Chelsea London and passed away on the 12 May 1940), they had five children

1. Alfred John b 23 Jun 1906 Canterbury – d 6 Oct 1974 Coventry
2. Alice Helen Boyce  23 Nov 1907 Canterbury – d 1989 Waltham Forest
3. Gertrude Isobel Boyce 5 Jun 1910 Cairo Egypt –
4. Glady Mary Boyce (M Thomas Whiting)14 Jan 1914 Ecclesall – D 1990 Chelmsford
5. Alan B 1920 London

As a Yeoman Warder he would have lived in the Tower and from 1924 he lived in the Beauchamp Tower

He retired on the 31 July 1937, and lived at 31 Eastville Gardens, Ilford, Essex, passed away on the 12 May 1951 King Georges Hospital Ilford.