Obituary
Dennis Boyles
One of the great names in the annals of Staghunting on Exmoor, Dennis Boyles, passed away on Sunday 13th February 2011.
Dennis Boyles
Dennis started with the Devon & Somerset Staghounds where he learnt his craft, and then went on to serve as 1st Whipper-in at the Braes of Derwent in 1955, from there, in 1957, he then went as 1st Whipper-in with the Belvoir under Jim Webster. Four seasons later it was to the Quorn as 1st Whipper-in, under the, also, newly appointed Jack Littleworth, who had taken over the horn from George Barker, who had held office for 30 seasons!
Dennis was most fortunate to serve under such men as these, in those halcyon days of post war sport in the Shires. It was an extremely tough life turning hounds four days a week, under strict, but very fair taskmasters.
In 1963 he got his first position hunting hounds at the Hampshire, under the Mastership of those great hound breeders, Mr. & Mrs. Ken Goschen. Two seasons later it was back to the Shires, to take over as Huntsman from Don Claxton at the Atherstone, under the Mastership of Lt-Col. Eric Morrison. 1968 saw him carrying the horn for the Garth & South Berks, for Major R.D. Black MFH.,who was Acting for the Committee.
In 1971, taking over the horn from Walter Perry, Dennis returned to his beloved Exmoor to hunt the D&S, for Mr. R.H. Nancekivell (‘The Kivell’) of Cloud Farm, Oare, on Badgeworthy Water, where so many good stags have been taken after crossing the best of Exmoor. So began a period of outstanding sport with the Staghounds, commonly with thirteen-mile points being made.
I think it is fair to say that Dennis did not suffer fools gladly, and he had to contend with large hard riding fields of perhaps 250-300 followers,
especially for Spring Staghunting. Despite this, he consistently showed magnificent sport.
One of my own personal little anecdotes is at the end of a very cold Spring day (not unheard of on Exmoor!) waiting up Horner Water with a few familiar faces, following a hard and demanding day on the Forest, frozen to the marrow, unable to feel our feet, when along comes Dennis down the track with the hounds, with that customary ‘foxy’ grin on his face “You b-----s must be bloody mad”. And we were…
He lost his beloved wife, Rosie, a few years back, and she was a bastion in kennels, answering the telephone, and rearing the whelps. His son, Kevin, was in hunt service, finishing with Mrs. Gingell at the Cambridgeshire Harriers.
Dennis was laid to rest at North Molton Churchyard in Devon on the 18th of February. We must send deepest condolences to all his kinfolk, and it’s time to ‘blow for home’ for the last time.Chris Allen