Image
from Coburg State School Soldiers Book. Courtesy Coburg Historical Society.
William
Broadbent was an 18 year old nailmaker who lived in Croxton when he enlisted in
July 1915. His family had strong connections to Coburg. He and his siblings were born in
Coburg. He had been a pupil at Coburg State School and is featured on page 44
of the Coburg State School Soldiers Record Book.
William
arrived in France in June 1916 and in his own words ‘I was up at Fromelles [for
the] 19 July stunt.’ He later did a course at Grenade School, returned to
France and in the bitter winter of January 1917 suffered from trench foot. He
received a severe gunshot wound to his ankle in July 1918 and was repatriated to
England. He was finally discharged in Australia in December 1918 and from 1957
was in receipt of a TPI pension.
William
Broadbent’s brother Ernest, who was born in Coburg in 1900, also tried to
enlist, but his enlistment was cancelled because his parents refused their
consent. Ernest, a dairyman, later moved to Myrtleford where he died in 1971.
Ernest Broadbent’s diary in Kerferd St., Coburg in 1923. Image courtesy Coburg Historical Society.
Although his parents Charles and Mabel moved around a bit, they remained in the Coburg area. A cousin, Joseph Grattidge, also an old boy of Coburg State School, served and survived the war.
5828 Private Joseph Grattidge, 24th
Infantry Battalion. Image from Coburg State School Soldiers Book. Courtesy
Coburg Historical Society.
Joe
Grattidge was a 34 year old married quarryman working for Coburg Council when
he enlisted in August 1916. Like his cousin William Broadbent, he served in
France where he took part in major actions such as Bullecourt, Ypres, Villeurs-Bretonneux
and Mont Saint Quentin. Before and after the war he lived in Barrow St.,
Coburg. His brothers George, Leslie (KIA France) and Stanley also served.
Joe
Grattidge died in 1961 aged 79. He is buried at Coburg Cemetery and is remembered in a World War One commemorative walk organised by Friends of Coburg Cemetery.
This walk will take place at 2pm on Sunday 17 April 2016, so if you are interested, please contact Friends of Coburg Cemetery focc.group@gmail.com