Albert Leslie Broughton
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Albert Leslie was the son of Albert and Mary Ann Broughton (née Williams). Both his parents were born in Derbyshire, his father in 1871 and his mother in 1869. Albert and Mary were married at Ripley All Saints in April 1900 and had four children: Albert Leslie b. Ripley birth registered 1896 (J/F/M), Elsie b. Nottingham 1896, Arthur William b. Ripley 1900 and Edwin b. Ripley 1902. The three eldest children were baptised at Ripley St John a few months after their births. In 1901 Albert, a coal miner hewer, and Mary were living at 4 Providence Street, Ripley, with their three children Albert (6), Elsie (5) and Arthur (1). Edwin was born the following year. The family was still living on Providence Street ('The Hollies') in 1911; Albert was now a colliery deputy/hewer. Only his three sons were in the home on the night of the census: Albert a fitter (ironworks) and Arthur and Edwin (8). Elsie, a domestic servant, was living with her uncle and aunt, Alfred and Emily Bonsall, at Awsworth Road, Ilkeston, where her uncle was a grocer and beer retailer on his own account. The military records suggest the family home was still at Providence Street when Albert attested in February 1916. His parents later moved to Alexandra Street, East Kirkby, and this was the address Albert's effects were returned to in December 1918. His father Albert died in April 1931; he was still living on Alexandra Street, East Kirkby. In 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled Albert's widow was living with her married son Arthur (m. 1922, Harrison) and his family at Kingsway, Kirkby in Ashfield. The youngest son, Edwin, was married (1925, Kirk) and he and his wife also lived on Kingsway. Elsie had married in 1920 (Guyler) and they were living in Ripley. Mary Ann Broughton died in 1956 (reg. Mansfield).
10th Bn Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment), formerly 4th Bn Sherwood Foresters The 10th Bn, one of the 'Second New Army', battalions was formed at Derby in 1914 and served in France from 1915. Albert attested on 22 February 1916 and transferred to the Army Reserve the following day. He was mobilised on 23 April 1918 and posted on 25 April to the 4th Bn Sherwood Foresters at Sunderland. He embarked Dover for Calais and joined the BEF France on 13 August transferring from the 4th to the 10th Bn Sherwood Foresters. Albert died of wounds received in action on 2 September 1918 at 53rd Field Hospital. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Vis-En-Artois memorial Pas De Calais France (Panel 7). The 10th Bn took part in the Second Battle of Bapaume (21 August-3 September) and Albert was fatally wounded in the closing days of the battle. He had served for 2 years 173 days at Home and 20 days in France, total 2 years 193 days. Albert qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal. Second Battle of Bapaume: 'The battle was a continuation of the Battle of Albert and is also referred to as the second phase of that battle. The British and Dominion attack was part of what was later known as the Allies' Hundred Days Offensive. The Second Battle of Bapaume was carried out over a period of two weeks and involved the divisions of IV Corps; the British 5th, 37th, 42nd, and the 63rd Divisions along with the New Zealand Division. On 29 August, elements of the New Zealand Division, after heavy fighting in the days prior, occupied Bapaume as the defending Germans withdrew. It then pushed onto the Bancourt Ridge, to the east of Bapaume.' (Wikipedia, Jan 2022) CWGC - History of Vis-en-Artois Memorial (extract): the villages of Vis-en-Artois and Haucourt are about 10 kilometres south-east of Arras. 'This Memorial bears the names of over 9,000 men who fell in the period from 8 August 1918 to the date of the Armistice in the Advance to Victory in Picardy and Artois, between the Somme and Loos, and who have no known grave. They belonged to the forces of Great Britain and Ireland and South Africa; the Canadian, Australian and New Zealand forces being commemorated on other memorials to the missing.' (www.cwgc.org)
WMR 14185: All Saints Church, Church Street, Ripley, Derbyshire - L Broughton CWGC incorrectly cites 23 as age at date of death (b. 1895 J/F/M). Army records in name of Albert Lesley Broughton and Lesley Broughton. Ripley & Heanor News & Ilkeston Division Free Press, 4 October 1918 (photograph): ‘Late Ripley Lad Killed. A Chorister of St John’s. Pte. Leslie Broughton, Sherwoods. Mr & Mrs A Broughton of Alexandra Street, East Kirkby, have received official notification that their son, Pte Leslie Broughton, Notts and Derbys, died of wounds received in action in France on Sept. 2nd. He was called up on April 23rd and was in training at Sunderland, being home on draft leave in Bank Holiday week, afterwards toing immediately to France. He had been in France three weeks. Prior to joining up he was first a miner at Britain Colliery, removing from Ripley with his parents to Kirkby some two and a half years ago, and then worked at the Butterley Co’s Kirkby Collieries. He was in the choir at St John’s Ripley, and also at the Parish Church East Kirkby, whilst living there, and was highly respected by all who knew him’ (www.britishnewspaperachive.co.uk) Ripley & Heanor News & Ilkeston Division Free Press, ‘Acknowledgements,’ 4 October 1918: Mr and Mrs A Broughton, East Kirkby, Notts, desire to thank all kind friends for their sympathy at the loss of their dear son, Pte. Leslie Broughton, who died of wounds received in action in France on Sept. 2, 1918.’ (www.britishnewspaperachive.co.uk) Ripley & Heanor News & Ilkeston Division Free Press, ‘In Memoriam,’ 29 August 1919: ‘Broughton. In ever-loving memory of Pte, Leslie Broughton, Notts and Derby Regt. (late of Greenwich, Ripley), who died of wounds received in action in France on Sept. 2nd. 1918. Peace perfect peace, with loved ones far away, In Jesu’s keeping we are safe, and they. From Mother, Father and Family.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) ‘In Memoriam’ notices were also placed in the newspaper on 3 September 1920 and 2 September 1921. Albert's personal effects were returned to his mother in December 1918 and comprised: disc, letters, photos, book, 1 pr. spectacles in case, wallet & coins. Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his mother was his sole legatee
