Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Edmund Bombroffe (Bombroff), an engine fitter, born in the January quarter of 1852 in Loughborough, Leicestershire (son of Benjamin Bombroffe, 1822 and Elizabeth Barradell, 1815) and his wife Charlotte Maria Bombroff (nee Briggs, married in the October quarter of 1876 in Loughborough), born in the April quarter of 1857 in Loughborough (daughter of John Briggs, 1830 and Charlotte Wright, 1830-1863). Bernard Walter was born in the July quarter of 1893 in Loughborough, his siblings were, William Austin, a worker, born 1887, Rosetta, born in the January quarter of 1888, Lilian, born 9th November 1889, John Henry Briggs, born in the July quarter of 1895, Vera, born in the April quarter of 1897, May, born 1900 and Archibald, born on the 17th September 1898, all his siblings were born in Loughborough, in March 1901 the family home was at 12, Ratcliff Road, Loughborough. In April 1911 Bernard was employed as a dyeworks worker and was residing in the family home at 144, King Street, Loughborough, together with his father, an out of work fitter, his mother and siblings, Elizabeth, a hosiery trade underwear linker, born in the July quarter of 1884 in Loughborough, William, a hosiery trade underwear scourer, Rosetta, an elastic web trade worker, Lilian, an elastic web trade worker, John, a steel crane manufacturer’s errand boy, Vera, an elastic web manufacturer’s errand girl and Archibald, a schoolboy. Bernard also had the following siblings, Eliza Ann, born in the October quarter of 1877 and Charlotte Agnes, born in the April quarter of 1879, both siblings were born in Loughborough.
Bernard enlisted/attested into the Special Reserve on the 9th September 1911 in Leicester, and was allotted the service number 10828. He gave his place of birth as All Saint’s, Loughborough, Leicestershire and age as 18 years 1 month. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as labourer.
His medical examination took place in Leicester on the 9th September 1911 and recorded his apparent age as 18 years 1 month, that he was 5 feet 2¼ inches in height, weighed 106 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 32 and 34 inches, his complexion was described as fresh, he had grey eyes and his hair colour was brown. The following distinctive marks were noted, scar on his right cheek and a mole in the middle of his back. He gave his religion as Church of England.
He gave his next of kin as his father, John Bombroff, mother Maria, older brother William, younger brothers, John and Archibald, sisters, Lizzie, Rose, Lilian and Vera, 144, King Street, Loughborough, near Leicester. Sisters, Agnes Young, Freehold Street, Loughborough and Elizabeth Mutford, Regent Street, Loughborough.
During his period of military service, the following events of note occurred: -
Posted. 3rd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Special Reserve. Pte. 9/9/11.
Commenced. Recruits Training. Pte. 9/9/11 – 8/1/12.
Awarded. 3rd Class Certificate of Education. 24/11/11.
Application. To transfer to the Regular Army, Royal Scots. Granted. 24/4/12.
Transferred. 2nd Bn. Royal Scots. Pte. 25/4/12.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 9/9/11 – 24/4/12. 229 days.
Total Service. 229 days.
Bernard’s surviving service record is in poor condition, the hand written information in some cases is barely legible, damaged or missing entirely, however the content does offer at least a little descriptive insight into the events that took place during his short period of service with the Special Reserve.
Bernard enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 25th April 1912 in Leicester, and was allotted the service number 11118. He gave his place of birth as All Saint’s, Loughborough, Leicestershire and age as 18 years 8 months. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as fitters labourer.
He confirmed that he was presently serving with 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, Special Reserve.
His medical examination took place in Leicester on the 25th April 1912 and recorded his apparent age as 18 years 8 months, that he was 5 feet 2¼ inches in height, weighed 114 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 32½ and 35 inches, his complexion was described as fresh, he had grey eyes and his hair colour was brown, his pulse rate was recorded as 84, his physical development was described as good. The following distinctive marks were noted, scar on his right cheek and a mole in the middle of his back. He gave his religion as Church of England.
He gave his next of kin as his father, John Bombroff, mother, Maria Bombroff, sisters, Lizzie, Rose, Lilian and Vera, 144, King Street, Loughborough, changed to 2, Railway Terrace, Loughborough, Leicestershire. Sister Agnes Young, Freehold Street, Loughborough. Sister, Elizabeth Mutford, Regent Street, Loughborough.
During his period of military service, the following events of note occurred: -
Attested. 2nd Bn. Royal Scots. Pte. 25/4/12.
Transferred. 2nd Bn. Royal Scots. Plymouth. Pte. 25/4/12.
Charged. Irregularity on duty, Awarded four extra guard duties. 2/1/13.
Charged. Having an untidy bed cot. Awarded three days confined to barracks. 6/1/13.
Charged. Trespassing on private land. Awarded seven days confined to barracks. 20/6/13.
Charged. Having a dirty rifle on rifle inspection. Awarded two days C.C. 18/8/13.
Posted. 1st Bn. Royal Scots. Pte. 9/10/13.
Awarded 1st Good Conduct Badge. 23/4/14.
Recorded. 3rd Class shot for Service and Proficiency Pay. 23/4/14.
Passed. Class of Instruction on 15 Pounder Gun Drill. Allahabad, India. 15/5/14.
Promoted. Lance Corporal (unpaid). 17/8/14.
Embarked. For France. 19/12/14.
Transferred. To Hospital. Hernia. 10/2/15.
Admitted. 1st London General Hospital, Camberwell. 11/2/15 – 10/3/15.
Posted. Depot Royal Scots. Lance Corporal. 11/2/15.
Posted. 3rd Bn. Royal Scots. Lance Corporal. 30/4/15.
Posted. 1st Bn. Royal Scots. Lance Corporal. 19/5/15.
Embarked. For France. 19/5/15.
Admitted. 6th General Hospital. Sprained tendon. 19/6/15.
Discharged. 6th General Hospital 28/6/15.
Posted. 2nd Entrenching Battalion Royal Scots. 27/7/15.
Appointed. Acting Sergeant. 25/8/15.
Reverted. Lance Corporal. 4/10/15.
Posted. 2nd Bn. Royal Scots. Lance Corporal. 4/10/15.
Killed in action. Hooge, Belgium. 13/10/15.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 25/4/12 – 8/10/13. 1 year 167 days.
India. 9/10/13 – 15/10/14. 1 year 7 days.
Home Service. 16/10/14 – 18/12/14. 64 days.
Expeditionary Force, France. 19/12/14 – 10/2/15. 54 days.
Home Service. 11/2/15 – 18/5/15. 97 days.
Expeditionary Force, France. 19/5/15 – 10/10/15. 108 days.
Total Service. 3 years 172 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Bernard’s surviving service record is in poor condition, the hand written information in some cases is barely legible, damaged or missing entirely, however the content does offer at least a little descriptive insight into some of the events that took place during his period of service.
A passage from the official history of The Royal Scots 1914 – 1919, by Major John Ewing, M.C. describes in general terms that the 2nd Battalion spent much of early October in the Sanctuary Wood Sector of Belgium and were involved in no serious actions, though casualties were sustained they were very few after the events of September, it therefore has to be assumed that Bernard would have been amongst these few men that were killed in action.
The War Diary records: 13 Oct-15 –Trenches. A good deal of shelling throughout the day on both sides. In the afternoon bombardment by our artillery on our left at the salient. Germans bombarded the ‘Dump’ in reply at 6.00pm. Remaining half of battalion of 10th ROYAL WELCH FUSILIERS with half their specialists were attached for instruction; they relieved their own two Companies in the trenches. Lieutenant Colonel DUNCAN returned from 8th Brigade. Other Ranks 1 killed.
On Saturday, October 30th, 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTER’S WHO HAVE FALLEN.” – (A photograph accompanied the article) – Sergt. B. BOMBROFF. 1st Royal Scots; killed by a sniper on Oct.13th. Sister lived in Russell-street, Loughborough.
On Monday, November 1st, 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “FALLEN LEICESTER’S.” – (A photograph accompanied the article) – Sergt. B. BROMBROFF, 1st Royal Scots; killed by a sniper on Oct. 13th. Sister lived in Russell-street, Loughborough.