This is one of a series of posts to mark the international Rugby players who died during The Great War. If anyone has further information on the men concerned, I’d be most grateful if it could be added to the thread. Gareth Boyau, Maurice Jean-Paul played for France Internationals: 6: 1912 I- S- W- (1c) E- (1c) ; 1913 W- I- Maurice Boyau was born on 1 or 8 May 1888, in Mustapha (Algeria). In 1905 he was the co-founder of Club Sportif de Bretigny (Association Football) who have played at Stade Maurice Boyau, along with US Dax Rugby Club, since 1922. Played as a Forward for: Stade Bordelais Université Club Profession: The Army War service: Served in the 144e Regiment d’ Infantrie before the war. At the commencement of hostilities he was assigned to the 18eme Escadron du Train des Equipages as a driver. He transferred to the Aviation Militaire at the end of 1915. After training, he received his pilot’s brevet on 28 November 1915 and was assigned as an instructor at Buc. He transferred to Escadrille N77 (later SPA77) as a Caporal when the unit was formed in September 1916. His first victory came on 16 March 1917 when he was credited with a German Aviatik that had just shot down Lt Havet from N77. On 3 June 1917, in company with Gilbert Sardier, he shot down his first observation balloon. Two days later, he downed another balloon, only to suffer engine failure on the German side of lines. Fortunately, the engine re-started just as he was touching down in a suitable field. Boyau was awarded the Medaille Militaire on 27 June 1917, after his fifth victory; the Citation: Pursuit pilot of audacious bravery. Three times cited in orders, and has to his credit an aircraft and a balloon. On the 5th of June he destroyed another balloon. Forced to land in enemy territory, he repaired his plane and flew back over the lines at 200 metres altitude, under fire of enemy machine guns. On 23 August, with other pilots from N77, he took part in a daring low-level attack on the railway station at Fresnes-en-Saulois. He was promoted to Sous Lieutenant, and was made a Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur, after his tenth victory in September 1917. On May 29 1918 he attacked two Albatros scouts that had just shot down a French Bréguet 14, and downed them both, followed by an observation balloon. He was given the Rosette d’Officier de la Legion d’Honneur after his 28th victory in July 1918; the Citation: Pilot of remarkable bravery whose marvellous physical qualities are put to use by his most arduous spirit and fights at great heights. Magnificent officer with an admirable spirit of self-sacrifice, facing each day with the same smiling desire for new exploits, surpassing then succeeding. He excels in all branches of aviation; reconnaissance, photography in single-seaters, bombardments at low altitudes, attacks on ground troops, and is classed among the best pursuit pilots. He has reported twenty-seven victories, the last twelve in less than one month. Has downed sixteen balloons and eleven planes. Has the Medaille Militaire and Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur for feats of war. Eleven citations. September 13 saw Boyau returned from leave and engaged in combat with six enemy aircraft; he damaged one before being forced to land among US troops, who took advantage of the opportunity to gather souvenirs from him and his aircraft. Maurice Boyau had achieved 35 victories at the time of his death south west of Conflans, just after his last victory, a balloon at Merville. He was killed in action on 16 September 1918; Leutnant Georg von Hantelmann of Jasta 15 was credited with shooting down Boyau as his fourteenth victory, of a total of twenty-five. Von Hantelman was credited with shooting down two other aces. On 12 September 1918 he brought down the American 13 victory ace Lt David Putnam of the 139th Aero Squadron, USAS, near Limey. Four days later he shot down Maurice Boyau and on 18 September he shot down the 6 victory American ace Lt Joseph Wehner of the 27th Aero Squadron, USAS, near Serronville. Ltn von Hantelmann was to be awarded the Pour le Merité but the War ended before he could be presented with the medal. Hantelmann died on 7 September 1924, when he was murdered by poachers at his home in East Prussia. Boyau was the fifth most successful French fighter pilot of the war, and probably the most famous Rugby player to lose his life in the conflict.
Re: Marice Boyau : Rugby Player A stadium in Aquitaine France is named to commemorate him. Stade Maurice Boyau is a multi-use stadium in Dax, France. It is currently used mostly for rugby union matches and is the home stadium of US Dax. The stadium is able to hold 15,000 people. http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/europe/france/aquitaine/dax_boyau.shtml
He was a French Balloon Specialist !! http://books.google.com/books?id=L3...4KTfCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5
The Daily News - Saturday September 21 1918 Name - Maurice Jean Paul Boyau Country - France Rank - Lieutenant Service - French Air Service Units - N77; Spa77 Victories - 35 Date Of Birth - 8 May 1888 Place of Birth - Mustapha, Algeria Date Of Death - 16 September 1918 Well known for his skill at rugby, Boyau served in the infantry before the war. In 1915, while serving as a driver in the Army Service Corps, he requested a transfer to the French Air Service. Obtaining a Pilot's Brevet on 28 November 1915, he served as an instructor at Buc before being assigned to N77 in September 1916. Before he was killed in action, Boyau shot down 21 balloons and 14 enemy aircraft.
Lt Maurice Boyau was a balloon specialist, but even with 21 balloons to his credit in his total of 35 victories, he wasn't the most successful French pilot when it came to attacking the dangerous targets. The top French 'balloon buster' (as they were termed) was Lt Jean Pierre Bourjade of SPA 152, who was credited with 27 balloons - all his victories were balloons. Lt Michel Coiffard of SPA 154 was credited with 24 balloons in his 34 victories. The top balloon buster of the War was the Sous Lt Belgian Willy Coppens, who brought down 35 balloons in his total of 37 victories. Gareth
