Joe Offer, That song, The boy who never came home, was popular with the old timers here in Ireland when I was a boy. The title of the song was different, I cannot re-call it now. I think Bud Billings sang it, I sent away to an English collector for the old single a few years ago and after searching around my home I have had no luck in finding it.
If i do come across it I will post the details.