Arthur Broomfield

Story:
Arthur Broomfield was born at Ellingham, Hampshire, on 26th January 1895, the son of Harry Jesse Broomfield and Fanny Matilda Broomfield (née Cooke).  He spent his early life with his family in the Hampshire and Dorset areas where, by 1911, his father had become the landlord of the Grove Arms, Ludwell, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire.  Arthur enlisted for the war and joined the Royal Army Service Corps (Service No. M/152385) with whom he served in France and Flanders.  He transferred to the Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire) Regiment and was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant. Following the end of the war he was posted to Ireland and was attached to the Auxiliary Division of the Royal Irish Constabulary until it was disbanded in 1922.  He was finally discharged on 4th February 1922 and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. 

Arthur married Lilian Rose Dorothea Bealing at Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 24th June 1919 and they went on to have three children.  By 1939 Register he was shown living at 30 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury, working as a Motor Mechanic.  It is understood that he also served for a period in the Second World War.  His death was recorded in the Salisbury, Wiltshire, Registry in 1986. 

Arthur's brothers, Frederick John Robert Broomfield and Edward William Broomfield both served but were regrettably killed in action.  Three more brothers served and survived the war: Ernest, Harry and Walter James. His sister, Eva Theresa Rose Broomfield had married William Percy Norman who also served and survived.