John Parker Broome
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
John Parker Broome was the son of Parker and Alice Broome (née Rose). His father Parker was born in Eakring, Nottinghamshire, in 1867, the son of Parker and Alice Broome. His mother Alice was born London in 1868, the daughter of George Rose, a stonemason, and his wife Mary Ann, and baptised with her older brother Frederick at St Dunstan in the West in May 1869. Parker and Alice were married in Nottinghamshire in 1890 (reg. J/A/S Southwell) and according to the 1911 Census had had 12 children, eight of whom were still living. Only seven children have been traced on the census between 1891-1911: Alice Rose b. Eakring 1892 (reg. Hambeldon Surrey), Lily b. Eakring birth registered 1895 (J/F/M), John Parker b. Rufford 1896, Mary Elizabeth b. Rayton 1900 and Reginald b. 1904, Clara b. 1906 and Ernest Edward b. 1909 who were born in Worksop. Three children who died young were Mabel b. Rayton 1898 bap. St Mary (Priory) October 1898 d. 1898, Frederick William b. 1899 d. 1899 and Theresa b. 1902 d. 1903. Parker, an agricultural labourer, and Alice were living in Eakring in 1891, the year after their marriage, and their two daughters, Alice and Lily were born there. However, by 1898 they had moved to Rayton near Scofton, Worksop, where their daughter Mabel was born in 1898 and the couple and their four surviving children, Alice, Lily, John and Mary, were recorded in the village on the 1901 Census. Parker was employed as a cowman on a farm. The family had settled at 3 Gladstone Street, Worksop, by 1911, although they had moved to the town as early as 1904 when their son Reginald was born. Parker was still employed as an agricultural worker. Six of their children were in the home on the night of the census, Lily, a general domestic servant ('day girl'), John Parker (14) a pony driver below ground (coal pit), Mary, Reginald, Clara and Ernest (1) who died later that year. Alice was still living in Worksop, but was one of two general domestic servants employed by George Wood, a farmer, and his wife. A report in the local paper of John Parker's death in 1915 gave his and his parents' address as 23 Clinton Street, Worksop. John's mother died in 1938 and her husband Parker, a farm labourer, was recorded on the 1939 England & Wales Register living on Kilton Road, Worksop. He died in 1947.
2nd Bn Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) John Parker Broome died of heads wounds on 7 October 1915 at No. 17 Casualty Clearing Station. He was given a military funeral and is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium (grave ref. I.B.3). He qualified for the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. In October 1915 2nd Sherwood Foresters as part of 18th Brigade 6th Division were 'occupying trenches in the Potijze sector' (Potijze being a hamlet with a chateau just East of Ypres) 'The battalion advance post known as Oder Houses,was rushed by the enemy about 6.30 in the morning' (on 5 October). The Germans at first opened a heavy artillery and trench motor fire on Oder Houses, and on the main fire-trenches occupied by 'A' and 'B' Companies in rear of the post. The front trench and two cottages in rear were flattened out by the enemy's artillery, and what remained of the garrison withdrew down the communication trenches towards the main line. Captain Robert, commanding 'B' Company, from which the garrison of the post was drawn, arranged for a count-attck up the two communication trenches leading to the post, while the so called 'Toby' Motors were laid on the front of the post. A patrol was first send forward to ascertain the exact position of the enemy, but these, on seeing the advance of the patrol, at once retreated and the post was reoccupied. The casualties were rather severe, 'B' Company having 11 killed, 19 wounded -mostly by shell fire- 1 man missing, believed killed, and 1 wounded and missing, believed captured' Extract from 'The Sherwood Foresters in the Great War' compiled by Colonel. H. C. Wylly, C.B. pages 114 & 115. Gale & Polden Aldershot 1924 It was during the above action that John Broome received his fatal wounds. Robert Ilett. 06.04.2015 CWGC - History of Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery (extract): the cemetery is 12km from Ieper (Ypres). 'During the First World War, the village of Lijssenthoek was situated on the main communication line between the Allied military bases in the rear and the Ypres battlefields. Close to the Front, but out of the extreme range of most German field artillery, it became a natural place to establish casualty clearing stations. The cemetery was first used by the French 15th Hopital D'Evacuation and in June 1915, it began to be used by casualty clearing stations of the Commonwealth forces.' (www.cwgc.org)
CWGC additional information:- 'Son of Parker and A. R. Broome, of 30, Marecroft, Worksop.' CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'One worthy of everlasting remembrance' Pte. J Broom, Worksop Guardian 22 October 1915 'Another Worksop soldier, whose death it is our duty to chronicle this week is Pte. J Broome, son of Mrs Broome 23 Clinton Street, who succumbed in a clearing hospital to injuries received in battle. Before the war, Pte Broome worked at Shireoaks Colliery and later at Manton from which Colliery he enlisted on January 11th last in the 2nd Sherwood Forester. He lived for a considerable time in Gladstone Street and later removed to 23 Clinton Street where his mother now mourns the loss of a gallant lad. Pte Boome made a smart soldier and since the latter end of May he had been at the front. He was well liked by his comrades, and had many friends in the town. The sad news was conveyed in letters to his mother from the hospital matron. Writing on Oct. 6th, she says:- "Dear Mrs Broome, I am very sorry to have to inform you that your son, Pte J Broome 21887 was admitted today to 17 C.C. Station, suffering from a severe wound to the head. He is quite unconscious and is in a critical condition. You may rest assured that everything will be done that can be done for him. I will let you know how he progresses.” Unfortunately the poor fellow did not recover. His warfare was accomplished. Writing two days later, the Matron says:- 'Dear Mrs Broome, I am deeply grieved to have to send you more bad news. Your son never rallied after the wound was inflicted, and passed away quietly yesterday. He has been laid to rest in a quiet little cemetery and a cross bearing his name, regiment and number marks his grave. He had a military funeral and every respect shown him. I don’t know whether any little personal things were found in his possession, but if there were, they will be sent to you in due course. With deepest sympathy, I remain yours sincerely, M Wharton. “ An item in the Worksop Guardian 22 October 1915 reporting the death on 27 September 1915 from wounds received in action of 2191 Private Richard Francis Gray 1/8th Bn Sherwood Foresters, included the information that: 'Pte Gray was a brother-in-law to Pte Broome who has also been killed.' Richard's brother, Frederick, married Lily Broome in 1913. Richard Gray is also buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, grave ref. I.C.9. (See record on this Roll of Honour) Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his mother Alice was his sole legatee. WW1 Pensions Ledgers: named his parents, Rosa A (sic) Broome and Parker Broome of Worksop. Research by Colin Dannatt
