Morpeth Herald 27/04/1917 carries a brief obituary:
Corporal A. Broom [sic], of Avenue Row, New Hartley Colliery, of the Border Regiment, has been killed in action, He was 20 years of age.
Bob Tame has submitted the following about his great-uncle:
A Short Life
Alfred Proom - June 1896 to 7th August 1916
1896 - June – Alfred was born in Seaton Sluice. Father: James William Proom, Mother: Lucy Ann Proom (nee Neave).
Alfred has older Brothers John William and Robert Henry.
1901 - (April) Age 4. Alfred is living in a harbour side cottage on Sandy Island at Seaton Sluice with parents James & Lucy plus elder brothers John William (8), Robert Henry (7) and sisters Minnie (1) and new arrival Annie Haley (one month old)
1911 – Alfred is living at 18 Avenue Row, New Hartley, Age 14. He has left school and his occupation is - Driver at Colliery.
In 1911 His father, James William Proom is a Hewer at the Colliery. His elder brothers John William age 18 and Robert Henry are both Sheaf Lads at the Colliery. His sisters Minnie (11) Annie Haley (10) and Lucy Ann (6) are all still at School
1914 - Lord Kitchener's call to arms went out on the 8th August 1914 for 100,000 men to form the New Armies who were to fight in the Great War as he foresaw it. Thousands of recruits flocked to Regimental Depots and were formed into the 'Service Battalions', so named because they agreed to serve for the duration of the war.
1914 - Age 19. 1st September Alfred signed up for Army Service with Durham Light Infantry 7th Battalion Border Regiment. He was accepted as fit for duty, height 5ft 4.5 inches, weight 132.5 lb (9 stone 6.5lbs, or 60.2kg), brown hair, brown eyes, fair complexion. (Religion-Church of England)
The 7th (Service) Battalion, Border Regiment was formed on 7th September 1914 and 1,000 strong, was posted to Wool in Dorsetshire on 13th September 1914, for training.
Alfred is now Private Alfred Proom 17730, 7th Battalion of the Border Regiment.
From Sep 1914 to July 1915 Alfred was on Army training and duty in UK.
After training, the 7th Borders sailed for France in two batches, on the 12th and 14th July 1915, with 31 Officers and 932 ‘Other Ranks’ on the 'Battalion strength'.
1915 14th July Alfred sailed to France
The Battalion marched to Rest Camp at Boulogne on the night of the 15th July and next day travelled to Reninghelst via St Omer, Wallon Kappel and Eecke, to join II Corps Reserve for instruction in Trench Warfare, which was done by Companies, under the guidance of more experienced battalions. They were in the dreaded Ypres Salient, of deadly repute and even deadlier reality. The 7th Border were lent to the 3rd Division and went in line at Kruistraat, where the first casualties, Privates' Lonsdale, Chambers and Lamb, were unlucky victims, on 13th September 1915.
On the 25th September the 7th Border supported an abortive attack by the 3rd and 14th Divisions, near Hooge, during which the battalion bombers had to go into action to keep the enemy at bay. 9 men were killed and 17 wounded.
For the rest of 1915 the battalion was in and out of line around the Hooge/Sanctuary Wood area of the salient, alternating front line duty with reserve and rest. The deadly Ypres Salient took a heavy toll on the 7th Battalion, Border Regiment and by the end of 1915 casualties had reduced the 31 Officers and 932 Other Ranks, to 18 Officers and 393 Other ranks.
1915 - November 19th – Alfred was Sick (Neuralgia)
1915 - Dec 10th – Alfred was appointed Unpaid Lance Corporal.
1915 - December 14th –Alfred Proom was ‘Wounded in Action’
1915 - December 16th – Alfred was shipped back to UK to recover from injuries.
1916 - Fricourt and Delville Wood
In January 1916, whilst Alfred was recuperating in England, the depleted 7th Border moved to rest at St Omer for a month, where rest and reinforcements were the order of the day. On 7th February 1916 they moved to Divisional reserve in Poperinghe, being involved in an attempt to dislodge the enemy on its section of front. They appear to have garnered at bit of a reputation for success in such ventures, on this occasion as before, at a price of 21 N.C.O.'s and men's lives.
1916 – Feb 11th – Alfred Proom was passed ‘Fit for Duty’, but granted leave to visit home (18 Avenue Row, New Hartley)
1916 – Feb 21st - . Alfred returned to Service in UK
1916 – March 10th . Alfred returned to France
1916 – March 21st . Alfred returned to 7th Battalion, Border Regiment.
1916 - April 4th. Alfred was Appointed Acting (Provisional) Corporal
They then moved to Dickebusch, on to Bailleul and Houplines and to a training camp at Eperlecques, where they moved into billets at Merlancourt.
1916 June – In June 1916, the 'Big Push' loomed heavy on the horizon for the British Army. The 7th Border moved to Fricourt Wood on the 2nd July 1916, the day after the Opening attack, and attacked Bottom Wood at 3 a.m. On the morning of July 3rd. They were set to take Railway Alley then push on and consolidate Bottom Wood. This they accomplished and were relieved back to dugouts in Fricourt Wood during the evening of 3rd/4th July.
By the 5th August the battalion was holding Delville Wood against German counter attack.
7th August 1916 – They launched a counter attack which was heavily repulsed, with 9 killed, 34 wounded and 5 (including Alfred) missing. By the 9th August they withdrew under bombardment to Montauban Alley, losing 4 killed and 17 wounded as they moved from the front line into supports.
1916 - 7th August. - Alfred Proom was reported Missing in Action. Presumed Dead. Age 20.
1917 – 15th March – Army officially confirms Death of Alfred Proom and arranges for return of any personal effects to family.
1919 - 19th June – Officer in charge of Records wrote to Alfred’s Father, James Proom asking for confirmation of family details
1919 3rd July – Alfred Proom’s Father - James Proom replied from 18 Avenue Row
1920
(em)(Note – in January 1920 Alfred’s Brother, John William Proom, married Dorothy James ) These are my Grandparents.
1920 -4th April - Controller of Medals wrote to 18 Avenue Row asking for confirmation that was current address. Lucy Ann Proom replied to says she was now at 4 Astley Cottages.
1920 24th June - Lucy Ann Proom confirmed receipt of Medal for Alfred Proom.
On looking at the Medal Alfred’s Mother Lucy noticed the name had been inscribed wrongly on the medal. (Surname - Broom instead of Proom)
1920 22nd April - Lucy Ann Proom wrote from 4 Astley Cottages to point out that name on Medal was incorrect.
Army confirmed they would replace medal.
1921 19th Dec – Replacement Medal sent to 4 Astley Cottages.
1923 - 9th June - Lucy acknowledged receipt of Personal Effects (a Disc?), giving her address as 1 The Crescent and asked for details of burial site/grave.
1923 - 14th June – Reply from Infantry records stating that CWGC would be asked for details of burial site/grave. The letter was sent to 1, The Crescent, Seaton Sluice.
Memorials still exist in New Hartley Church, Seaton Delaval, and in New Hartley Memorial Hall
Alfred Proom is remembered at New Hartley on N50.02 and N50.04
