COMMEMORATED IN PERPETUITY BY THE

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Albert Ernest Broad worked for the London County Council, Parks department and enlisted in 1917, at Battersea, London to the Royal Sussex Regiment. He was embarked to France on 2nd April 1918. On 6th April he was transferred to the 4th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (London Regiment).

During 1918, 4th Battalion – part of the 9th Infantry Brigade, were involved in The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, The Battle of Estaires, The Battle of Hazebrouck, The Battle of Bethune.

Battles Of The Lys - Battle Of Bethune - 18/04/1918. Location: Loisne. British defensive victory. An assault by the southern divisions of the German Sixth Army was made on Bethune but was repelled by I Corps and XI Corps of the First Army - Source: WW1 Troop Movements and ORBATS for 9th Infantry Brigade.

Private Albert Broad was killed in action on 24th April during the defence of Bethune, France.

The Sandpits British Cemetery, Fouquereuil. Fouquereuil is a small village in the Department of the Pas- de-Calais between Bethune and Bruay la Buissiere. The cemetery was begun by XIII Corps at the outset of the German advance in April 1918, and continued to be used by them until September 1918. There are now 394 First World War burials in the cemetery.

Albert's Father, Peter Broad was born in Steventon 1862. He was a Baker and lived in a cottage on The Green until about 1881. By 1901, when Albert was 2 years old, the family had moved to Ardington, near Wantage. Although Albert Broad never lived in Steventon, he did have relatives here. He may have spent time with his Uncle John (father’s brother) in Milton Lane. Uncle John Broad lived in Milton Lane until his death in 1921.

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