Harry Churchill Boyes

Death Notice : https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQ8-W9WJ-S?i=46&c...

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"South Africa, Cape Province, Kimberley, Probate Records of the Supreme Court, 1871-1937," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9BG-T7PN?cc=2521616&w... : 7 November 2016), > image 266 of 1289; Pietermaritzburg Archives Repository and National Archives of South Africa, Pretoria.

https://billiongraves.com/grave/person/16104639#/

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Harry Churchill Boyes died suddenly and in unusual circumstances at 21h30 on Wednesday 26 October 1892 while riding the “switchback railway” that was one of the many attractions at the Kimberley International Exhibition. (The railway switchback is similar to a roller coaster).

Harry was born in Cape Town on 12 March 1868 to James Fichat Boyes and Johanna Olivia Boyes (nee Chiappini), the youngest of three sons born to the union, his elder brothers being George James Boyes and Charles Edward Boyes. George, who had worked for a time in Kimberley, was Resident Magistrate of Mafeking from 1892 to 1897. His father’s brother, Lorenzo Boyes, was the Magistrate at Colesberg who had examined the “Eureka” diamond discovered in the Hopetown area in 1866/1867.

Harry was educated at firstly, the Diocesan College (Bishops), and secondly, where he matriculated, at St Andrew’s College in Grahamstown. A keen and speedy athlete, he played wing and centre at rugby, a sport he continued when he moved to Kimberley to work in the offices of the Inspector of Mines. At the time of his death he was employed with the Detective Department. In Kimberley, he played for the Kimberley Rugby Football Club, and for Griqualand West, being a member of the XV that were awarded the Currie Cup in 1891. He also represented the Cape Colony against the British Isles as a centre, and it was his excellent performance on attack and defence in this game that saw him being selected at wing for the South African team for the first and second tests against the visitors that same year. His last game for Griqualand West was in the Currie Cup tournament played just prior to his death as part of the International Exhibition.

Harry had ridden the “switchback” several times that evening, and like many others, stood up and waved his arms even when the car was travelling at full speed. “The car had started on its return journey, and was in the act of running down the second incline, when Mr Boyes lost his balance, and, it is presumed, fell backwards and dropped violently on the ground, breaking his neck by the fall, and also sustaining a severe blow on the skull.” Death was instantaneous, and his body removed to the Police Station by Police Constable Sheehan and then to the Hospital after an examination by Dr Smith. The Switchback was immediately shut down on police orders until further notice. At the time of the tragedy 15 619 people had been on the ride.

Boyes’ funeral service was conducted by the Venerable Archdeacon Gaul on Friday 28th October at the Hospital Chapel (Sister Henrietta’s Chapel) from whence the cortege moved to the Dutoitspan cemetery where he was buried. There were several hundred mourners, at least 60 young men walking with the bier, and some 30 vehicles with mourners following. Many others were waiting at the cemetery. The family were represented by Dr Green and his brother, cousins of Harry Boyes.

http://www.kimberley.org.za/today-in-kimberleys-history-26-october/

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