Category Archives: Other Regiments

Sidney Victor Broadbear

Army, Commemorated name/s, Other Regiments

Sidney Victor Broadbear
Private 43482
10th Batt. Lincolnshire Regiment

Division 6

Broadbear SV photo  CIMG2146CIMG2147

Sidney Victor Broadbear was the  son of Mr and Mrs Cornelius Broadbear of 51, Beresford Road, Reading. He is commemorated upon the headstone of the family grave, number 13598.   Sidney Broadbear died on 28th April 1917, aged 21, and is buried in Roeux British Cemetery Plot A. 27.

Roeux village was built over a system of caves which contributed to make its capture in 1917 exceptionally difficult.  The Battle of Arras began on the 9th April 1917.  Its 2nd phase of the began on April 23rd 1917 but, heavy  fighting around the area had taken place from 12th April.  On the 22nd April, the chemical works near the village was captured and the village itself was taken on 14th May after more very severe fighting.  The chemical works was lost in a German counter attack on the 16th May,  the date was significant as it  marked the official end of the Battle of Arras.  The factory was regained in August.  The graves in the cemetery were made by the fighting units involved in the actions from April to August.

Arthur Robert (Bob) Brinkworth

Army, Commemorated name/s, Other Regiments, Somme, St. Laurence's Church

Arthur Robert Brinkworth
Second Lieutenant
14th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment

 Division 32

Brinkworth AR photo Brinkworth AR grave

Arthur Robert Brinkworth  known as Bob, was the youngest son of Mr Harry Brinkworth. Harry had the job of bringing up his four children. His wife was already dead by 1901. The 1911 census has the family living at 131. Friar Street, Reading.  Bob’s age is given as 22 and his profession as a stockbrokers clerk. Harry Brinkworth ran his own business, first as a potato merchant and in 1911 is listed as fruiterer. He was assisted in the business by his oldest daughter Ellen Annie, aged 24.  Bob is commemorated on the footstone of the family grave which unusually bears a cap and sword as part of the memorial.  

Brinkworth Rcem com

He died of wounds on 7th September 1916 aged 27.  An obituary was published in the Reading Standard 23rd September 1916 from which the following details are taken.

 Lieutenant Brinkworth had been educated at Christ’s Hospital, was a member of Reading Philanthropic Institution, Druids, and the Bohemian Club.  He was a fine swimmer, tennis player and all round athlete.  He had joined the O.T.C. in May 1915, was gazetted on July 1st and left for the front on May 20th.  (No years given)  He was greatly loved by all who knew him.

“Captain Neal wrote:- The battalion attacked and your son was with his platoon.  He was badly wounded in the leg and died soon after he was taken down.  I hope it will be a little comfort to you …when I tell you that after he was wounded he behaved in the most gallant manner possible – in fact I have never seen a braver wounded man.  I had no hope when I saw the nature of his injury but he stuck to it splendidly…”

His Commanding officer wrote he was as “brave as a lion” and “I have had a cross made, and tomorrow I intend to ride over to the grave and have it erected and the ground put in order – the last tribute I can pay to one whose loss I mourn not only as a brother officer, but as a friend.”

 In addition to these tributes his father received a telegram from the King and Queen.  

 Bob Brinkworth is buried in the Peronne Road Cemetery, Maricourt.  Location III.H.I.  The cemetery was begun by fighting units and used by Field Ambulances in the Battles of the Somme, 1916.

 

Harry George Brewer

Army, Commemorated name/s, Other Regiments, Reading University College

Harry George Brewer
Lance Sergeant C/6276
18th Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps

 Division 24

CIMG2169CIMG2168

 

Harry George Brewer was the son of Frank and Emma Brewer, of 653, Oxford Road, Reading. A grave to the family of Barton and Andrews also bears the initials “E.B. and F.B. and Cpl. H.G.B. son killed in action September 16th 1916, aged 27”  is commemorated on a small scroll.  Burial records revealed the name Brewer.  The 1911 census records indicate the Harry Brewer was a journeyman carpenter. His father was a plumber and other sons also had trades.

 CWGC information revealed that Harry George Brewer was killed on the 15th September 1916. He is listed on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing.  Pier and Face 13A and 13B.

 The 15th September was the beginning of the 3rd phase of the Somme offensive.   On this day an advance along six miles of front to a depth of 2000 -3000 yards took place.   The attack was special because it was the first time that the heavy armoured cars or tanks were used.  Although several tanks ditched along the way those that fought near Flers were very successful and assisted in the taking of the village.  During the next four days, all along the front, the fighting was bloody and many men lost their lives. Exactly where the  18th Battalion KRRC were positioned is not yet known. It is not clear upon which day Harry Brewer died but he had no known grave.  The allied attack was hindered on the 19th September by bad weather but,  resumed the day after and continued well into November.  During this time many thousands lost their lives.