Boswell (Capt. Hugh Brabazon Boswell)

A close friend and frequent companion from at least September 1916 onward, reaching the rank of Captain by April 1917. Robertson also nicknames him "Bull" throughout much of 1917 (sometimes combined as "Bull Boswell" (see July 4 and July 25, 1917)), distinct from the separate "Smeed Bull" (see Bull); two entries eleven days apart (May 21 and May 23, 1917) describe the identical hoped-for promotion once under each name, which is the clearest evidence the two are the same person. Spends much of mid-1917 hoping for "a step" to succeed Maj. Trotter in command of the 12th Field Company, and is hospitalized with fever at Fresnicourt in late July 1917, where Robertson visits him repeatedly. He is Hugh Brabazon Boswell, born October 30, 1888, an officer of the Permanent Force (his Canadian Great War Project record has him commissioned in March 1911 and serving in the Canadian Engineers). The diary itself gives only "Boswell" and "Bull"; the full name rests on his signature, "H.B. Boswell, Captain," on an August 1917 Canadian Engineers war diary, and on the 2nd Army Troops Company's Operation Orders No. 4 of October 22, 1917, issued by "Captain H.B. Boswell, Commanding, 2nd Army Troops Co., C.E." That is the company Robertson was attached to from late July 1917, and the diary's "Bull has two new youngsters, Dunn and Fitz" (September 21) matches two of the lieutenants named in those orders. A slip transmitting Robertson's leave warrant, dated 12 November 1916, is signed by him as Captain and Adjutant of the 1st Canadian Divisional Engineers, so he held both the rank and that staff appointment by late 1916, a little earlier than the diary alone shows.