Background
He was born in Windsor, England, and as a boy served as a chorister at Eton College.
He was born in Windsor, England, and as a boy served as a chorister at Eton College.
After taking his Bachelor of Music at Queen"s College, Oxford, he became Assistant organist to Sir Walford Davies at Street George"s (1925-1932). He also attended the Royal Academy of Music in London where he had been granted an organ scholarship.
He became an organ pupil of Sir Walter Parratt of Saint George"s Chapel, Windsor. At age 17 he was appointed organist and choirmaster of Holy Trinity Garrison Church, Windsor. In 1932 he became organist of Chester Cathedral.
As a divorcee, he was dismissed by the Dean and Chapter when he re-married in 1948.
In 1949 he was appointed an Examiner for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. In this capacity he travelled widely to New Zealand, India, Hong Kong, and the West Indies.
He was chosen as one of a panel of specially co-opted musical adjudicators from Britain for Expo year in Canada. Foreign many years no published edition was available, the piece only existing in manuscript form, having been written down from memory by Doctor George Guest, who had been a chorister at Chester Cathedral under Boyle.
The motet was later published by Paraclete Press.
Fittingly, it was the introit at Doctor Guest"s memorial service.