FRANCIS WILLIAM BROYD
Born: 1863, Alphamstone, Essex.
Died: 12th July 1900; age 37; Died of Pleurisy at Germiston, Gauteng, South Africa.
Residence: Alphamstone, Essex.
Occupation: a Carpenter.
Enlistment Date: 23rd December 1884.
Rank: Private; Service Number: 1131.
Regiment: Suffolk Regiment, 1st Battalion.
Clasps Awarded: Cape Colony, Orange Free State & Transvaal.
CENSUS
1871 Upper Goulds, Alphamstone, Essex.
Francis was 8 years old and living with his parents, siblings & widowed, maternal grandfather.
John Broyd, 48, a Carpenter, born Alphamstone.
Mary Ann Broyd (nee French), 47, a Dressmaker, born Alphamstone.
Harriet Elizabeth Broyd, 20, a Dressmaker, born Alphamstone.
John Henry Broyd, 18, a Carpenter, born Alphamstone.
Joseph Edmund Broyd, 13, a Carpenter, born Alphamstone.
George Walter Broyd, 10, born Alphamstone – died 1897, West Ham, Essex.
Herbertina Jessie Broyd, 5, born Alphamstone.
John French, 78, a Rake Maker, born Alphamstone.
1881 Upper Goulds, Alphamstone.
Francis was 18 years old, a Carpenter. He was living with his parents, married sister & nephew.
John, 58, a Carpenter.
Mary Ann, 58, a Dressmaker.
Emma Mary Poulter (nee Broyd), 25, born Alphamstone. Wife of William Joseph Poulter, a Coachman.
William John Poulter, 4 months, born Hatfield, Hertfordshire.
Francis’s brother, Joseph and his young family lived in the cottage next door.
Francis’s mother, Mary Ann Broyd died 1896, Alphamstone. His father, John Broyd died 1888, Alphamstone.
Soldiers’ Effects to Joseph Broyd – brother, Sarah Broyd, Harriet Broyd, Jessie Broyd & Emma Broyd – sisters.
One of the notable Battles with a large loss of Suffolk life was the “Battle of Suffolk hill” at Colesberg, Northern Cape 5th- 6th January 1900. The hill was originally called Red or Grassy Hill. The Suffolk regiment was ordered to make a night attack on a Boer position on the heights, four companies, 354 of all ranks, set out at midnight under the command of Col. Watson. The Suffolks were met by a storm of bullets. The Colonel was amongst the first to fall, and the party later retired with 11 officers and 150+ men killed, wounded or captured.
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