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Sidney was aged 23 at the time of his death, and was a plumber in Australia. He is buried in Ration Farm Military Cemetery La Chapelle d'Armentieres France grave VI. J. 43. A witness stated in his Red Cross file, “the soldier A.C.Bromley was killed by a bullet at Fleurbaix on No Man’s Land, he was quite close, and S.R.Bromley, the brother of the soldier, went to pick him up, and was also killed, both evidently by machine gun fire. The brothers were much alike, 5’10”, fair complexion, light brown hair, and were much attached to each other.” Another witness stated that “both were in A Coy, and that he knew them well, also that he was told by Sgt. Angus of A Coy that he had seen both these brothers killed by the same shell at Fleurbaix on July 19th. They were blown to pieces in No Man’s Land.” Yet another witness, 4923 Pte. F.Turvey 53 Bn.AIF said “About 5 yards in front of the German line at Fromelles, Bromley was lying and to all appearances dead. He was still lying face downwards when I saw him about three hours later.”

Sidney’s body was recovered by the Graves Registration Unit, probably in 1921, as his identity disc was sent to his parents at this time, and he is one of the few who fell at Fromelles to have a recorded burial place.

His brother, Albert Bromley, was killed the same day, aged 19 years and 6 months when he died. Prior to enlisting he had been a railway clerk. His body was not found and he was remembered at VC Corner Australian Cemetery Memorial, Fromelles, France, Panel 7. His name appeared on a German death list dated 4 November 1916, stating that they had buried the soldier. He was on the Lambis Englezos list of missing suspected to be buried at Pheasant Wood.

Albert Clive Chomley's remains were identified and buried in the Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery on the 19th July 2011, 95 years after his death.

Brothers who died in the Great War by Frank Mahieu 

REMEMBER ALBERT CLIVE BROMLEY, aged 19, and his brother SIDNEY REGINALD BROMLEY, aged 23. They both died on 19 July 1916 at the Battle of Fromelles, which was a diversionary attack for the Battle of the Somme. They both served with the 53rd Battalion, Australian Imperial Force (14th Bgd, 5th Division). They were the sons of Son of Sidney A. D. M. and Alice Louisa Bromley,, Waverley, New South Wales, Australia. Sidney lies in Ration Farm Military Cemetery at La Chapelle d'Armentières while Albert was commemorated at VC Corner Memorial at Fromelles, but since 2011 has been identified and is buried at the (new) Fromelles Pheasant Wood Military Cemetery. (some photos added inn this post of the 2011 rededication ceremony at Fromelles too). Albert and Sidney are commemorated at home at the Christ Church Anglican Church Brewarrina War Memorial. Brewarinna was the town where the family lived when the brothers enlisted.

Albert was born in Warren, New South Wales. He enlisted at Dubbo, NSW, on 3 August 1915, aged 18, with the 1st Battalion, 15th Reinforcements, 4744. Description: fair complexion, grey eyes, brown hair, 5 ft. 7 ½ inch tall (1m 71,5). Prior to enlistment he was a railway employee and had been a member of the Rifle Club.
Was with C Coy 9th battalion from 24 Aug till 16 Oct. 1915, subsequently with 3rd Btn. 13th Reinforcements till 7 Nov. 1915, and with C Coy 1st. Btn. till 15 Febr. 1916. Joined the 1st Battalion 15th Reinforcements that day. Embarked for Egypt at Sidney with the HMAT ‘Star of England’ A15 on 15 March 1916. Taken on strength with 53rd battalion at Tel el Kebir (Ismailia, Egypt) on 20 April 1916. Embarked at Alexandria with the “Royal George” on 19 June 1916 and disembarked at Marseille on 28 June 1916. (Some 40,000 Australians camped in a small tent city at Tel El Kebir of six miles in length. A military railway was eventually constructed to take troops from the camp to their vessels in Alexandria and elsewhere for embarkation to Gallipoli landings /wikipedia)

Albert went missing in action at the battle of Fromelles 19th July 1916. Information and identity disc were received from Germany on 22 March 1917 that Pte. Albert Bromley was deceased. He so was reported being killed in action on 19th July 1916. A Report from Pte. Schuck, a pal of Albert who was near him in the same (A) Company, says Albert was killed by a gunshot wound, another report from Pte. Turvey (C Coy) adds that when his brother came to help him he was also shot. Other reports tell Albert and his company, at (near) Fromelles (or at Fleurbaix), was advancing at 5.43 pm, then halfway in no man’s land he was hit by a shell and blown to pieces as was his brother Sidney who was near him.

Sidney was also born at Warren (NSW). He was a plummer by profession. He enlisted aged 23 at Holsworthy (NSW, military camp near Sidney) on 2nd November 1915 abt. three weeks after his brother with the 1st Battalion 15th Reinforcements, 4903. Dark brown dark 5 ft. 5 inch tal (1m.65). Embarked at Sidney with HMAT A15 “Star of England” on 8 March 1916 for Egypt ( a week before his brother).

From training Battalion, coming from Hospital at Port Said, he was transferred to 53rd battalion, taken on strength (20th) 21st, at Ismailai / Tel el Kebir (Egypt). Embarked at Alexandria with the “Royal George” on 19 June 1916 and disembarked at Marseille on 28 June 1916. Just three weeks later both brothers and many of their comrades were killed at Fromelles in an attack which was in fact unnecessary. Even High Command had suggested the attack wasn’t necessarily to go ahead, but local command felt they had to prove else… As for the death of Sidney Bromley the witness reports are the same as for his brother Albert. May they rest in peace. Lest we Forget.