Walter James Broomfield

Story:
Walter James Broomfield was born at Kirkby, Lincolnshire, on 1st September 1879, the son of Harry Jesse Broomfield and Fanny Matilda Broomfield (née Cooke).  Walter's father had become the licensee of the Grove Arms, Ludwell, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire by 1911.  Walter married Edith Eliza Emily Andrews at Ringwood, Hampshire, in 1908 and they went on to have four children.  Walter had moved to Devon and was working there as a gamekeeper when he enlisted as a Private with the 15th Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment (Service No. 15146) on 1st January 1915.  He served in France and Flanders where he was wounded on at least two occasions for which he eventually received a small pension.  He was finally discharged on 21st March 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star.  By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Higher Dean Prior, Totnes, Devon, and working as a Head Gamekeeper as well as being a volunteer ARP Warden.  He died in Kingsteignton, Newton Abbot, Devon, on 8th July 1964. 

His brothers, Frederick John Robert and Edward William also served but sadly died in the war.  The remaining brothers, Walter James, Harry, Ernest and Arthur, all served and survived.  His sister, Eva Theresa Rose, was married to Percy William Norman who also served and survived.