BROADBENT, Ralph Leslie
| Service Number: | 2037 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 16 June 1916, Adelaide, South Australia |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 43rd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Wandearah, South Australia, 1 July 1895 |
| Home Town: | Victor Harbor, Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Victor Harbor Public School |
| Occupation: | Farmer |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Belgium, 31 July 1917, aged 22 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" |
| Memorials: | Adelaide National War Memorial, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Cherry Gardens WW1 Memorial, Compton Presbyterian Sunday School Roll of Honour, Menin Gate Memorial (Commonwealth Memorial to the Missing of the Ypres Salient), Victor Harbor Congregational Church Roll of Honor, Victor Harbor War Memorial, Wandearah East Broughton Plains Region War Memorial, Whyalla Roll of Honour, Whyalla WW1 War Memorial, Willowie Schools and District Roll of Honor |
World War 1 Service
| 16 Jun 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2037, Adelaide, South Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| 28 Aug 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 2037, 43rd Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '18' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Anchises embarkation_ship_number: A68 public_note: '' | |
| 28 Aug 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 2037, 43rd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Anchises, Adelaide | |
| 31 Jul 1917: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 2037, 43rd Infantry Battalion, Warneton |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
Ralph Leslie Broadbent enlisted in Adelaide on the 16th of June 1916 when he was 20 years and 10 months old. He was a Private in the 43rd Battalion and served in France for 6 months before being killed in action on the 31st July 1917. Ralph is remembered in the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial in Belgium. Ralph Broadbent enlisted for the Australian Imperial Forces (AIF) on the June 16th, 1916, in Adelaide. His Regimental number was R2037and he joined the 43rd Battalion. His parents were Mary Hill and Henry Field Broadbent and they were living at Hummocks Hill when Ralph enlisted. Ralph was 20 years and 10 months old and was a brown-haired, hazel-eyed young man with a “fresh” complexion whose occupation was a farmer. He was just over 5ft 9ins tall and weighed 160lbs.
On his medical history it was noted that Ralph had good eyesight and five vaccination scars on his left arm. His teeth were in good condition. It was noted that he had injured his right foot in 1905 however it was not considered a disability when he enlisted. Ralph’s religious denomination was Methodist. Ralph embarked for the war on 28th August, 1916, on the “Anchises” out of Port Adelaide arriving in Plymouth, England on 11th October 1916. He remained in England until the 19th December 1916 when he proceeded overseas to France on the S.S. Princess Victoria disembarking at Estaples.
He was taken on strength on the 18th January 1917 and spent just over 6 months on the front line until the 31st July 1917 when he was killed in action in Belgium.
Ralph had prepared his last will and testament on 27th August 1916 and leaving all his worldly possessions to his father, Henry Field Broadbent. The will was proved in the Supreme Court of SA on the 1st January 1918. Ralph’s only personal effects were 2 identity disks, 2 wallets, note book, writing pad, mittens, cap comforter, metal rings (3), German coat lapel, photos, letters and cards and these were returned to his parents back in Australia. Ralph’s body was not recovered following his death and as result his name is now recorded on the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres Belgium.
https://www.cherrychatter.org.au/Fallen%20Heroes%20of%20Cherry%20Gardens.pdf
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