BROOMHALL, John
| Service Numbers: | 4822, 4024 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 12 July 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 58th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Latrobe, Tasmania, Australia, 20 April 1887 |
| Home Town: | Albert Park, Port Phillip, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Driver |
| Died: | Killed in Action, France, 15 July 1916, aged 29 years |
| Cemetery: |
Rue-Petillon Military Cemetery, Fleurbaix, Bethune, Nord Pas de Calais Plot I, Row K, Grave No. 121 |
| Memorials: | Latrobe War Memorial, South Melbourne Great War Roll of Honor |
World War 1 Service
| 12 Jul 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 4822, 7th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 23 Nov 1915: | Involvement Private, 4822, 7th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '9' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Ceramic embarkation_ship_number: A40 public_note: '' | |
| 23 Nov 1915: | Embarked Private, 4822, 7th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ceramic, Melbourne | |
| 15 Mar 1916: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 58th Infantry Battalion | |
| 15 Jul 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 4024, 58th Infantry Battalion, Killed in action, Fleurbaix, France |
Help us honour John Broomhall's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Evan Evans
From Kristy Broomhall,
Private John (Jack) Robert Broomhall
Born: 20 April 1897, Latrobe, Tasmania
Enlisted: 12 July 1915
KIA: 15 July 1916, Fleurbaix, France
Age: 19
Unit: 58th Battalion, AIF
Kristy wrote a poem from John's mother's perspective, which she shared with others during the tour.
To my darling John,
I listened to you, I gave my consent;
I didn’t want to, but I did relent.
I signed the letter, I sealed your fate;
And while at home, all I could do was wait.
You were so determined to serve your Country;
And all I could do was listen to you humbly.
When you signed up for war you were barely eighteen;
A jovial young man, so full of dreams.
You were so young, but wanted to go;
Off to war, but I should’ve said no.
I followed your wishes that led to your death;
To you leaving home and taking your last breath.
I can only imagine the horrors of war;
The nightmare you endured for over a year.
The ongoing battles to gain power and ground;
I imagine it was a constant merry-go-round.
It must’ve been tough for someone so young;
The fighting never ceased, and the worst was yet to come.
The letters you sent gave me some insight;
To the suffering endured both day and night.
The constant conditions of squalor and mud;
And to see your mates all covered in blood.
Or even worse, to see them killed;
What a waste of life, all that blood spilled.
You didn’t return, I lost my son;
My grief is unlimited, it feels like the war has won.
I walk down the street and everyone has a name;
Of someone they’ve lost, their story is the same.
I treasure your memory, now and forever;
I will never forget you, not now, not ever.
You were much loved by me and your dad;
Such a bright and charming and merry lad.
Your sisters both miss you, and ask of you often;
You brightened our days, and will never be forgotten.
I received your effects and will keep them as mementos;
Your identity disc, bible, wallet, ring, letters and photos.
You were only nineteen when the war claimed your life;
You had barely lived, but paid the ultimate price.
I am so proud of you, my dearly beloved son;For fighting the Great War, which finally we won.I will never forget you, your memory lives on;I love you now and forever, your mum.
Jessie (Mary) Broomhall (John's mother)
"When I read about John and saw his age it broke my heart. I imagined if that was my child how I would feel, in particular as she signed the letter of consent." - Kristy Broomhall
Click images to start slideshow.