5825901 W0II Robert Edward BROOM, MiD, 1 Suffolk Regiment: 28/06/1944

Pals

Information on the man below please. All I know was Mentioned in Despatches. Promoted up to CSM during the D Day landing and died a few days later.

He was a regular and joined in 1933 he was garrisoned on Malta

Thanks in advance

Simon



BROOM, ROBERT EDWARD

Rank:Warrant Officer Class II

Trade:C.S.M.

Service No:5825901

Date of Death:28/06/1944

Age:29

Regiment/Service Suffolk Regimen 1st Bn.

Awards:Mentioned in Despatches

Grave Reference 5. C. 6.

Cemetery:HERMANVILLE WAR CEMETERY

Additional Information:Son of George W. and Kate M. Broom, of Ipswich, Suffolk; husband of Evelyn Grace Broom, of Ipswich.

 

So we know where he was at the start of 1940

Robert E Broom in the England & Wales, Marriage Index, 1916-2005

Name: Robert E Broom
Spouse Surname: Taylor
Date of Registration: Jan-Feb-Mar 1940
Registration district: Ipswich
Inferred County: Suffolk
Volume Number: 4a
Page Number: 40458


Name: Eveline G Taylor
Spouse Surname: Broom
Date of Registration: Jan-Feb-Mar 1940
Registration district: Ipswich
Inferred County: Suffolk
Volume Number: 4a
Page Number: 4048




We also know where and when he was born:
Robert E Broom in the England & Wales, FreeBMD Birth Index, 1837-1915

Name: Robert E Broom
Mother's Maiden Name: Cook
Registration Year: 1914
Registration Quarter: Jul-Aug-Sep
Registration district: Ipswich
Parishes for this Registration District: View Ecclesiastical Parishes associated with this Registration District
Inferred County: Suffolk
Volume: 4a
Page: 2036

It seems he had probably 3 siblings:
Ethel K b 1912
William F b 1917
Violet W (?) b 1922 - appears spelt as Broome

TD

 

TD

Thats great thanks.

I'm being sent some pictures of him and I shall post.
Will the LG have his M in D?

He might have been involved 1944 D Day: 1st Battalion lands on QUEEN WHITE beach at Hermanville-sur-Mer.?

Simon

 

Pals

Found this of the D Day action http://battlefieldsww2.50megs.com/1st_suffolk_regiment.htm

 

Owen

Many Thanks.

Simon

 

London Gazette

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35020/supplement/7186/data.pdf

France/Flanders May-June 1940

Bury Free Press - Saturday 28 December 1940





Kyle

 

Thank you. I'd like to know what He did to receive the award.

I've found this aswell

http://www.ww2f.com/index.php?app=core&module=search&do=search&fromMainBar=1

He seems an amazing soldier.

Simon

 

Hi Simon,

Further to what has already been posted, Ted Broom was a pre-war member of the Corps of Drums of the 1/Suffolk. From memory, he played a tenor drum as I have seen photographs of him in his drummers leopard skin in Malta in 1939.

Broom it was said, was an outstanding soldier. He was Corporal on D-Day when he landed, was promoted Sergeant a few days later when the Battalion were in Le Mesnil Wood. By the time of his death at the Chateau de la Londe on 28th June 1944, he was acting CSM of B Company. It was said that had he lived, he would have almost certainly have been commissioned.

The mortar 'stonk' which killed him and Captain Warwick Archdall, robbed the Battalion of two of its finest men. Archdall it was said would have risen high in the church. If you search elsewhere on the net, you should read the complete account of the fighting at the Chateau written by Richard Harris (except above) it is the finest account of the battle from the eyes of a private soldier I know of. Harris also served in B Company.

His nephew, who had only recently died, also served in The Suffolk Regiment, completing his National Service in Malaya. Several years ago I borrowed a photograph of Ted Broom from him, along with a cutting from the Ipswich Evening Star announcing his death, and a photo of his original CWGC steel headstone cross in Hermanville cemetery. I see if I still have them somewhere

I look forward to seeing the photographs you have of him.

Regards
Mark

www.friendsofthesuffolkregiment.org

 

According to the regiments history by Nicholson he was a Cpl when he got his MiD. It aslo records him being killed by Mortar fire along with Captain Archdall who was B Coy's 2ic.

Just to add there's nothing jumping out in the BEF diary and his MiD isn't listed online at Kew

 

Mark
I believe the 2 picture are the same. I waiting to see if any more turn up.

Simon

 

Thank you.
And thank you for the PM.

Simon