The AIF Project

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Taken on strength of 53rd Bn, Tel el Kebir, 20 April 1916.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 19 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 28 June 1916.

Reported missing in action, 19 July 1916.

'Identification disc received from Germany', 13 February 1917. 'No particulars afforded except that soldier is deceased. To be reported KILLED IN ACTION, 19/7/16' on the authority of Assistant Adjutant General, ANZAC Section, War Office, 24 February 1917.

Handwritten note on B.103, 'buried B4685'.

Transalation of a German report, 25 October 1919, 'Iden: Disc handed over by Intell: Off: with 6th Army H.Q. 12/10/16[.] Australian Pte. A. C. Bromley, 4744, 53rd Btn. fell in the neighbourhood of Fromelles, on 19/7/16'.

Report from Australian Red Cross Wounded and Missing Enquiry Bureau, 18 October 1920, '53rd late 1st Battn. Bromely A.C. - 4744 - "K/A 19/7/16" Bramley [sic] A. C. 4744 1. [sic] Batl. A.T.F. Fell 19.7.1916 near Fromelles[.] Final German Death List S'.

Red Cross File No 541202 has statement from 4755A Sergeant A.N. CREWES, 4 October 1916: 'At Fleurbaix on 19th he was killed out in No Man's Land. I was near him and saw him dead - it was about 5.45.p.m. - he was in my platoon, A. Coy.'

'The above name appeared on German Death List dated 4-11-16.'

Second statement, 4905 Pte EDMONSTON, A Company, 53rd Bn, 11 December 1916: 'Bromley's pal, [4863] G. Shuck, told me that he was beside Bromley when he was shot dead by a sniper in the German 1st. line. Both these men were in A. Co.'

Third statement, 4923 F. TURVEY, B Company, 53rd Bn, 21 December 1916: 'Witness says the soldier A.C. Bromley was killed by bullet wound at Fleurbaix on (sic) No Man's Land at Fleurbaix, he was quite close and [4903] S.R. Bromley, the brother of the soldier, went to pick him up, and was also killed, both evidently by machine gun fire.'

Fourth statement, 2982 Pte T. GOSLING, A Company, 53rd Bn (patient, 4th London General Hospital, Denmark Hill, London SE, England), 4 June 1917: 'I saw A.C. Bromley killed at Fresselles (sic) to the right of U.S.W., Armentieres on Wednesday morning July 19th 1916. He went over in the first wave at 5.43 p.m. and had got half way across No Mans (sic) Land when a shell struck him and he was blown to bits. I was about 50 yards to the right of him.'

Originally listed as 'No Known Grave' and commemorated at V.C. Corner (Panel No 7), Australian Cemetery, Fromelles; subsequently (2011) identified, and interred in the Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery, France.