A legendary adventurer known as "Klondike Joe", Boyle was born in Toronto and came to Woodstock with his family in 1872. He worked at various jobs before attaining great success as a prospector and entrepreneur in the Yukon. At the outbreak of the First World War, Boyle raised, financed and equipped a fifty-man machine gun contingent. Determined to help the war effort further, he headed an allied mission to Russia in 1917 to help reorganize the railway system. His adventures soon took him to Rumania where he became a confidant of the Royal Family. He was charged with obtaining famine relief for the Rumanian people and with negotiating a peace treaty with Russia. Much honoured for his efforts, Boyle died in England.

Location

At the Presbyterian Cemetery, where his grave is located, Vansittart Avenue, Woodstock

Themes

• People
• War and conflict