Pte 51619 Harold Broom (MM)

Harold Broom was born on 13th November 1886 at 19 Cumberland Road, Liscard, Cheshire to Liverpool born stationery shopkeeper William Henry Broom and his Liverpool born wife Isabella (nee McWean). They married in Walton in the September quarter of 1880 and had eight children (six boys and two girls). Harold was their fouth child and was baptised at St Peter's Church,  Church Street, Liverpool on 26th January 1887.

 

The April 1891 Census shows the family are all still at 19 Cumberland Road, Liscard. Harold as aged 4 and has five siblings, William aged 9, Charles M and Alexander W  are shown as aged 6, Alice aged 2 and new born Frank. Also present in the household is Frances C Broom a 16 year old described as a general domestic servant. 

 

The April 1901 Census shows the family now living at 139 Whetstone Lane, Tranmere. Both parents are present, his father is shown as head of the household and employed as a stationer/ traveller. Harold is shown as being aged 13 (not 14) and has seven siblings listed in the household listed as, William Currie aged 19, Charles M is now recorded as 18 years of age and Alexander W is now shown as 16,  Alice is 12, Frank 10, Walter 9 and May is 7. Also present is Alice Wilkie described as Mother aged 70.   

 

By April 1911 the Census shows the family are now at 42 Milton Road Tranmere, Birkenhead. Harold is now correctly shown as aged 24 and is now working as clerk in a brewery. He has six of his seven siblings living at home; William Currie aged 29. Charles McWean aged 28, Alice 22, Frank 20, Walter 19 and May 17. His 80 year old grandmother Alice Wilkie is also living with them. His parents advise that they have been married for 30 years and have had eight children all of whom have survived.

 

Harold enlised in Liverpool as Private 51619 joining the 17th (Pals) Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment. 

 

On 30th December 1917 he is admitted to No.11 Casualty Clearing Station field hospital with injuries but returned to his unit on 31st December 1917

 

In the Spring of 1918 he is transferred to 1/6th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment and serves as Lance Corporal. 

 

On 24 September 1918 the 1/6th KLR launch an attack from Festubert on La Basse Road, by the time it ended on the 29th September there are 50 other ranks wounded. It is highly likely that Harold is one of them as he died of his wounds, aged 31, a few days later on the 05th October 1918.

Harold was awarded a Military Medal for service with the 6th Battalion K.L.R. Kevin Shannon in his book The Liverpool Rifles writes concerning the Military medal awarded for his courage as a Rifleman on 03rd September 1918:

"A" Company were on the right of the advance and for 31 year old Corporal John Hulme's section to his left, they approached Shetland Trench, where they believed that company had reached. Here they were almost surrounded by a much stronger enemy patrol, who opened fire at close range. Hulme fell mortally wounded and all of the others, apart from 31 year old Rfn Harold Broom, were also wounded. In spite of the heavy fire, Broom carried back Rfn Albert Cooper - who'd received a serious buttock wound - receiving the MM for his courage. All, apart from Hulme, made it to safety."

Kevin further advises that L/Cpl Broom's fatal wounding took place on 25th September 1918 when he was shot in the chest, dying on 05th October 1918.   

Harold now rests at Houchin British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France.

The cemetery was opened in March 1918 when the 6th Casualty Clearing Station came to Houchin. From April to September the German advance made Houchin unsafe for hospitals, and the cemetery was used by the 55th (West Lancashire) Division. In September 1918, the 6th Casualty Clearing Station returned to Houchin and was joined by the 15th CCS in October. Houchin British Cemetery contains 700 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and two from the Second World War. There are also 39 German and one Belgian war graves. The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.

On 12th October 1918 his parents place a Memoriam in the Liverpool Daily Post to their son:

BROOM - October 5 the result of wounds received in action, HAROLD Lce Corpl.K.L.R. the fourth and dearly loved son of Mr and Mrs W H Broom, 42 Milton Road, Birkenhead. 

 

His name appeared  on 07th February 1919 in the London Gazette for his M M award.
 

On 15 February 1919 his M M award appeared in the Birkenhead News

 

His Soldiers Pay arrears of £12:11s:4d was sent to his mother Isabella on 17th February 1919, followed by a further £1:0s:6d on 5 May 1919. A War Gratuity of £13 was also sent to her on 18 December 1919 and she was also awarded his dependents pension.

Harold is commemorated on the Birkenhead War Memorial at Hamilton Square.

 

 

We currently have no further information on Harold Broom, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.

Grateful thanks are extended to Kevin Shannon for permission to use his quote from his book on the 1/6th Battalion K.L.R. Entitled "The Liverpool Rifles" it is available at all good bookshops.