Frank Bromby

War Service

Although Frank was born in Barnsley, he enlisted at Normanton joining the 2/4 Battalion King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.
Bromby, F is one of the names engraved on the plaque of remembrance on Altofts cenotaph and with whom, initially, I had been unable to trace any official link to the village.
That was until by chance I discovered a remembrance notice from his wife and family printed in the Wakefield Express on 30 November 1918, approximately one year after Frank’s death, which confirmed his link with Altofts. (Although printed as Bromley a further remembrance notice printed the same day from Frank’s parents confirm Bromby).
“BROMLEY – In proud and affectionate remembrance of my dear husband Sergt. F. Bromley of Church Road, Altofts killed in action at Bourlon Wood, Nov. 27th, 1917.
I loved what God has taken,
I loved but could not save;
God’s will be done, tho’ hearts may break,
‘Twas His to give, ‘tis His to take,
A bitter grief, a shock severe,
To part with one we loved so dear.
- From his loving Wife and Daughter Edna.”
Earlier in November 1917 the battalion began training with the newly introduced “tank”. On the 17 November the battalion moved into the lines in the Havrincourt area, remaining there until 6:20am on 20 November 1917 when, with other regiments, the attack on the German lines commenced. With three wire-crushing tanks and eight fighting tanks, the attack was a complete success, their objectives achieved by 8:30am.
This action was the start of the Battle of Cambrai (1917) which continued until the end of December. The battalion was relieved on the 23 November, marching to billets in Neuville. Frank would have little time to recuperate from this initial action when 231 fellow officers and men became casualties: killed, wounded or missing.
On 25 November the battalion received orders to relieve a battalion of the 121 Brigade and to route-march to the sugar factory on the Bapaume-Cambrai road. Further orders were received on 26 November to attack and capture Bourlon Village. They then marched to Bourlon Wood arriving at 1:00am on 27 November, just in time for a short rest, before the attack on Bourlon Village commenced at 6:20am. The attacking battalions encountered strong resistance when approaching the village. Some of the attacking forces managed to penetrate a short distance into the village before meeting more resistance. Remnants of the battalion had to withdraw into trenches south of Bourlon Village.
Sergeant Frank Bromby was one of the Battalion’s 115 officers and men killed, wounded or missing during the foiled attempt to capture the village on 27 November 1917.
Frank is remembered on the Cambrai Memorial, which stands on a terrace within the Louverval Military Cemetery situated on the south of the village of Louverval. Sergeant Frank Bromby, aged 30, has no known grave. His name is one of more than 7,000 men who died in the Battle of Cambrai in November and December 1917.
On the first anniversary of Frank’s death the following Memorial appeared in the Wakefield Express, dated 30 November 1918.
“BROMBY – In loving memory of our dear son Sergt. Frank Bromby 2/4 K.O.Y.L.I. killed in action in the Cambrai Battle, November 27th, 1917.
In our home you are fondly remembered,
Sweet memories cling round your dear name,
Hearts that held you in deepest affection
Do love you in death just the same.
May his reward be as great as his sacrifice.
- From his loving Mother and Father, Brothers and Sisters.”

Family Life

Frank was born at Barnsley in 1886, the eldest son of George William and May Bromby, later followed by brothers Stanley and Sydney and sister Hilda. Around 1901 the family moved from the Barnsley area to live at 36, Crossley Street, Sharlston. Frank, now aged 15 years, was employed as a pony driver at a local colliery.
There were further additions to the family during the next decade: Ada, Elsie, Harold and Doris were all born in Sharlston.
In the early summer of 1911 Frank married Violetta Wood in Barnsley, at the time he was still employed at the mine but was now working at the coalface as a “hewer”.