Private Harold Bromley
Regiment Unknown
Harold was the son of John Bromley, a boiler tenter and his wife Mary Annie (Nee Ellis). The family lived at Codnor Park but later moved to Jacksdale, where their youngest son Harold was born in 1888. In 1901 and 1911 the family was living at Sedgwick Street. Harold was one of 14 children, but on the 1911 census it states that 8 of those had died. The 6 surviving children were John George b. 1874 Codnor Park, William Henry b. 1879, Codnor Park, Dora, Bertha b. 1882, Bertram b. 1883 and Harold.
In February 1903 a terrible tragedy befell the family when their father John was crushed by a boiler at the Codnor Park Ironworks. He was helping workmen lower a boiler, when a wooden jack broke, causing the boiler to tilt and fall on him. He lived for only a short time after the accident. An enquiry into his death returned a verdict of ‘accidental death’ although the government factory inspector who was present, recommended that in future guy ropes or chains should also be used when lowering boilers, which might help prevent them from turning over. Wise advice but sadly too late to help John Bromley and his family. John is buried at Westwood, St. Mary’s.
At present we know nothing of Harold’s service career, except to say he is listed on the Jacksdale War Memorial as having served. In 1911 his occupation is given as colliery miner. We believe that in 1919 he married Elizabeth Rickers in the Basford registration district.