Frederick John Robert Broomfield
Surname: Broomfield
Other names: Frederick John
Locations in this story: Harbridge, Ringwood, HampshireFrance & FlandersSt. Sever Cemetery, Rouen, FranceNiton, Isle of Wight, HampshireGrove Arms, Ludwell, WiltshireGillingham, DorsetTetbury, Gloucestershire
Story: Frederick John Broomfield was born in 1884 in Harbridge, Ringwood, Hampshire. He was the son of Henry Jesse Broomfield, a Gamekeeper, and Fanny Broomfield (née Cook). His siblings included Edward William, born in 1886, who also died in the war. He enlisted with the Scots Guards on 16th April, 1902 (Service No. 4412). Having almost completed his three year engagement he was discharged from service on 14th February, 1905 being found medically unfit for further military service. At the time he confirmed his willingness to serve in a home capacity if mobilization was called for in the future.
On 4th April, 1908 he married Jane Morris in Niton, Isle of Wight. At the time of the 1911 Census they had two children: a son and a daughter, and he was working as a Domestic Gardener and living on Isle of Wight, Hampshire. A third child, a daughter, was born in 1912. Meanwhile his father had become the landlord of the Grove Arms, Ludwell, Wiltshire.
When war broke out Frederick enlisted in Gillingham, Dorset, and joined the 1st Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 3/7868). At the time of his death held the rank of Corporal. He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory, British War and 1914 Star medals. He died on 12th October 1915 and was buried at St. Sever Cemetery, Rouen, France (grave id. A.12.28). He is remembered on the war memorial at Ludwell.
Frederick's other siblings were also involved: Arthur, Ernest, Harry and Walter James all served in the forces but survived as did Percy William Norman, the husband of sister Eva Theresa Rose. Frederick's widow did not remarry and was living with her son in Tetbury, Gloucestershire at the time of the 1939 Register.
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