Richard Henry BROMLEY served in the Australian Army during World War Two, defending the far north city of Darwin from Japanese air attack as a member of the Darwin Coast Artillery. Which leads us to ask the question ….. is he a relative of yours?
A Second World War belt (Pattern 37 waist belt) issued to Gunner Richard Henry BROMLEY (Service Number VX100301) turned up on eBay during January 2018 and it was purchased by the Medals Gone Missing team in the hope we can track down his descendants.
Amazingly the Pattern 37 waist belt issued to Richard Henry BROMLEY was located on eBay Australia and purchased by the Medals Gone Missing team.
Richard Henry BROMLEY was born on the 5th November 1912 in Mildura, Victoria.
According to the World War Two Nominal Roll, Allen enlisted into the AMF (Australian Military Forces) and it appears he may have transferred to the AIF (Australian Imperial Force) on 12th March, 1941. His next of kin was recorded as being Richard BROMLEY who we believe was his father. Richard served with the Darwin Coast Artillery and remained in the AIF until January 1946.
Whilst the Pattern 37 waist belt was a type manufactured and issued in their hundreds of thousands to Commonwealth troops, it is rare to actually find a relic which bears the name of your particular ancestor. It is hoped descendants of Richard Henry BROMLEY can be found and this valuable memento returned to his family.
This waist belt in question clearly bears Richard’s service number VX100301 and his name ‘R.H. BROMLEY’ which likely was written by Richard himself in black ink. Despite the fact these type of belts were manufactured in the hundreds of thousands …. and every serviceman had one (including Navy and Air Force), it is very rare that this belt has survived in such good condition. This relic was purchased by Medals Gone Missing online via eBay and is not for general sale. It will only be sold back to the descendants of Richard Henry BROMLEY upon strict proof of relationship.
The World War Two British Pattern 37 waist belt issued to Gunner BROMLEY amazingly was located on eBay Australia and was purchased by the Medals Gone Missing team in the hope that his descendants can be located.
