Trafford

Born during the June quarter 1893 in the Altrincham R.D. - ref: 8a/194, the
eldest son of John & Annie Broadbent (nee Dunnicliff).       Baptised at
St. George's P.C., Altrincham on the 28th May 1893.

1901 Census - Last house on Grafton Street, Altrincham before Goose Green. 
 Grandson - aged: 7 - born: Altrincham.   Head of household Married - aged:
62 - occ: Joiner - born: Farnworth, Lancashire.   Also - Margaret Broadbent
- Wife - aged: 59 - born: Worsley, Lancashire.  Plus 1 maternal aunt and 3
maternal uncles.

His parents were then residing at 25 Ashfield Road, Altrincham - Head of
household - John Broadbent - Married - aged: 35 - occ: Clerk of Works &
Technical School Teacher - born: Worsley, Lancashire.  Also - Annie
Broadbent - Wife - aged: 36 - born: Kegworth, Leicestershire.   Plus 3
younger siblings, aged: 5, 3 & 7 months.   John was residing at Grafton
Street in 1891, single and employed as a Carpenter & Joiner.

1911 Census - 25 Ashfield Road, Altrincham.   Son - aged: 17 - occ
Engineering Student - born: Altrincham.   Head of household - John
Broadbent - Married - aged: 45 - occ: Surveyor of buildings - born:
Worsley, Lancashire.   Also - Annie Broadbent - Wife - aged: 46 - born:
Kegworth, Leicestershire.

Attended the British Schools, Altrincham and Lymm Grammar School.   
Studied Engineering at the Manchester School of Technology.   Employed as
an engineer at Messrs. Crossleys Ltd, Openshaw, Manchester.

Enlisted on the 3rd September 1914 and was drafted to the front on the 8th
November 1915 - MIC - Awarded the 1915 Star, plus the BWM & VM.

His parents received a long letter from Captain Johnson, his Company
Captain, explaining that although Sgt. Broadbent carried 670 rounds of
ammunition, he had also captured German guns and ammunition and was using
German "dum dum" bullets on the Germans themselves.  He also stated that he
had been killed with a shot through the head during a counter attack at
Trones Wood.

Death reported in the 14/07/1916 edition of the Altrincham Guardian.

Pension Records - Dependent: Mother - Mrs. Annie Broadbent, 71 Hale Road,
Altrincham.  No mention of any pension paid out?  The pension application
was not made until the 7th July 1919.

Listed on the Hale Cenotaph as being in the Cheshire Rgt.    

Commemorated on the private family (grand parents) gravestone in Hale Cem.
- Photo on file.

The 11/08/1916 edition of the local newspaper reports that he is Missing.  
 The 08/06/1917 edition confirms his death.

Listed in the Guardian Year Book - Roll of Honour for 1918.