Dear all,
There are not that many Birmingham soldiers who were executed by firing squad for desertion during the Great War, but 17402 Private Frederick Broadrick, 11th and 13th Bns, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, was one of them. Born in Ladywood and a resident of Winson Green, he appears to have been a bit of a bad lad, although an effective soldier under fire. He had previously served in the West Yorks in 1914, but was discharged for insubordination after 56 days. He was conscripted in 1916.
However, I have slight quandary with regard to Pte Broadrick and I hope someone might be able to help please.
Before he stood before the firing squad in 1917, he appears to have left his worldly belongings to my great grandmother, Lily May Daniels (nee Darby). He declared her to be his stepsister and NoK, living at the address that he gave on his West Yorks service records - 39 Norman Street, Winson Green, Birmingham. This was my G.G. Father's (and Lily's) house for about 40 years. Having flogged through the family tree on multiple occasions, I am positive that Lily did not have a stepbrother called Frederick Broadrick. She did, however, have a stepbrother called Frederick Bache. If I'm right, then Broadrick either lied on his attestation by stating Lily was his stepsister - or Broadrick was actually Frederick Bache and the historical record does not reflect this - and nor will his CWGC headstone.
Fred Bache and Lily are living at 39 Norman Street in the 1911 Census, but there is no sign of anyone called Broadrick. Broadrick is a total black hole on any online genealogy sites and, to cap it all, Fred Bache simply disappears after 1911. There is a record of 'a' Frederick Broadrick of Norman Street, Winson Green, receiving 3 months hard labour in 1913 for 'being found on enclosed premises'.
I'm sure that there is a logical explanation, but I can't see it at the moment. It's all rather ironic, because I'm a serving Royal Military Police officer (based in Kenya as I type this) and poor old Fred Broadrick's numerous interactions with my forbears, were instrumental in his demise!
Can anyone assist please?
Yours, puzzled in Nairobi,
Jonny
There are not that many Birmingham soldiers who were executed by firing squad for desertion during the Great War, but 17402 Private Frederick Broadrick, 11th and 13th Bns, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, was one of them. Born in Ladywood and a resident of Winson Green, he appears to have been a bit of a bad lad, although an effective soldier under fire. He had previously served in the West Yorks in 1914, but was discharged for insubordination after 56 days. He was conscripted in 1916.
However, I have slight quandary with regard to Pte Broadrick and I hope someone might be able to help please.
Before he stood before the firing squad in 1917, he appears to have left his worldly belongings to my great grandmother, Lily May Daniels (nee Darby). He declared her to be his stepsister and NoK, living at the address that he gave on his West Yorks service records - 39 Norman Street, Winson Green, Birmingham. This was my G.G. Father's (and Lily's) house for about 40 years. Having flogged through the family tree on multiple occasions, I am positive that Lily did not have a stepbrother called Frederick Broadrick. She did, however, have a stepbrother called Frederick Bache. If I'm right, then Broadrick either lied on his attestation by stating Lily was his stepsister - or Broadrick was actually Frederick Bache and the historical record does not reflect this - and nor will his CWGC headstone.
Fred Bache and Lily are living at 39 Norman Street in the 1911 Census, but there is no sign of anyone called Broadrick. Broadrick is a total black hole on any online genealogy sites and, to cap it all, Fred Bache simply disappears after 1911. There is a record of 'a' Frederick Broadrick of Norman Street, Winson Green, receiving 3 months hard labour in 1913 for 'being found on enclosed premises'.
I'm sure that there is a logical explanation, but I can't see it at the moment. It's all rather ironic, because I'm a serving Royal Military Police officer (based in Kenya as I type this) and poor old Fred Broadrick's numerous interactions with my forbears, were instrumental in his demise!
Can anyone assist please?
Yours, puzzled in Nairobi,
Jonny