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Private Robert Charles Broomfield
Description
TitlePrivate Robert Charles BroomfieldSummaryA soldier in World War One. DescriptionRobert was born 10 August 1883 at London, son of Robert and Elizabeth Broomfield. His parents came from Devon and Somerset respectively. In the 1911 census they were described as retired dairymen as was their only son, Robert, then aged 27. His father had a milk supply business. Robert appears to have come to New Zealand in 1912 aboard the Matai and at the time of enlisting was farming at Springston. In October 1916 he and three others about to depart were given a farewell social and presented with an inscribed gold medal after a concert and “some sound advice to the lads” from the Rev W. B. Scott. He had some previous military experience with the British Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve having completed his time. He was 5ft 7 1/2in tall with a fresh complexion, blue eyes and brown hair.
Robert enlisted 25 July 1916 at Trentham and was assigned to the 19th Reinforcements Canterbury Infantry Battalion, C Company. He embarked on 15 November 1916 for Devonport and, after spending Christmas at Sea, arrived on 29 January 1917 proceeding to Sling Camp the same day. He left for France on 1 March and was attached to the strength at Etaples Base depot two days later. He joined the 2nd Battalion, Canterbury Infantry in the field on 25 May. He was killed in action aged 34 on 14 June 1917 during the last days of the Battle for Messines. The 2nd Canterbury Battalion had relieved the 35th Battalion Australian Imperial Force, but had come under a barrage of heavy gunfire and suffered severe casualties. It had suffered very heavy casualties during the operations of June 13th and 14th, having had thirty-one other ranks killed and three officers and ninety-six other ranks wounded, out of a total strength of thirteen officers and three hundred and ninety-eight other ranks. Robert was first posted as missing and then declared killed in action. His name is inscribed on the Messines Memorial to the Missing, Belgium. In New Zealand he is remembered on the Springston War Memorial.
First NameRobert CharlesLast NameBroomfieldFamilySingleSon of Robert and Elizabeth BroomfieldDate of Birth10 August 1883Place of BirthLondon, EnglandDate of Death14 June 1917Place of DeathBelgiumCause of DeathKilled in actionAge at Death34
Robert enlisted 25 July 1916 at Trentham and was assigned to the 19th Reinforcements Canterbury Infantry Battalion, C Company. He embarked on 15 November 1916 for Devonport and, after spending Christmas at Sea, arrived on 29 January 1917 proceeding to Sling Camp the same day. He left for France on 1 March and was attached to the strength at Etaples Base depot two days later. He joined the 2nd Battalion, Canterbury Infantry in the field on 25 May. He was killed in action aged 34 on 14 June 1917 during the last days of the Battle for Messines. The 2nd Canterbury Battalion had relieved the 35th Battalion Australian Imperial Force, but had come under a barrage of heavy gunfire and suffered severe casualties. It had suffered very heavy casualties during the operations of June 13th and 14th, having had thirty-one other ranks killed and three officers and ninety-six other ranks wounded, out of a total strength of thirteen officers and three hundred and ninety-eight other ranks. Robert was first posted as missing and then declared killed in action. His name is inscribed on the Messines Memorial to the Missing, Belgium. In New Zealand he is remembered on the Springston War Memorial.
First NameRobert CharlesLast NameBroomfieldFamilySingleSon of Robert and Elizabeth BroomfieldDate of Birth10 August 1883Place of BirthLondon, EnglandDate of Death14 June 1917Place of DeathBelgiumCause of DeathKilled in actionAge at Death34
Connections
CollectionSoldiers of Selwyn World War OneImageSpringston War MemorialMore InformationAuckland War Memorial Cenotaph
Military Service
Memorial or CemeteryMessines Memorial to the MissingSpringston War MemorialOccupation before EnlistingFarmer Regiment or ServiceCanterbury Infantry BattalionEnlistment Details25th July 1916 at TrenthamService Number31460Embarkation15th November 1916CountryNew Zealand
Attribution
Researched ByL. M. Seaton Taken FromPhoto taken from Auckland War Memorial Cenotaph. Please refer to this site for the photo’s copyright license
Private Robert Charles Broomfield. Selwyn Stories, accessed 06/06/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/341