Page 7 - Nov 2022 News On 7

HAZZARD'S HISTORY NOTES

by Grant Ketcheson
MAJOR ROBERT “NEWELL” BROAD, MC MM
“LEST WE FORGET”

Robert Newell Broad was born in 1887 on the family farm at Hazzard's Corners, the youngest child of Robert and Mary
Lackie Broad. Newell attended the local Cedar School and, with his family, worshipped at Hazzard's Corners Methodist
Church.
In 1910 he joined the Hastings Rifles, a militia unit in Madoc. With the declaration of war in 1914, Private Broad prepared
for active service. Less than one month later, Newell passed his medical at Valcartier, Quebec and joined the 2nd
Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force. He soon was aboard the SS Cassandra along with hundreds of other young men,
sailing for England. The leadership qualities of Pvt. Broad must have been quickly recognized, for within two months he
had been promoted to corporal and before the end of the year, to sergeant.
In France, in July 1916, while under heavy bombardment, a nearby dugout was blown in, burying several men. According to
the citation, “this NCO, under heavy shelling, proceeded to dig out the men and by his action and presence of mind, saved
the lives of two soldiers.” For this act of bravery, Sgt. Broad received the Military Medal.
In the spring of 1918, R. Newell Broad was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. Near the end September, he again was
decorated. The citation read “for marked gallantry and determined leadership on 27 September, 1918. At one point during
the action, a machine gun held up the advance. Lt. Broad led his men forward and, closing on the crew, killed them, thus
enabling the advance to continue.” For this, he was awarded the Military Cross.
Twice wounded in battle, Newell Broad finally returned home in 1919 and resumed the quiet life of a farmer, while still
remaining active in the militia. In 1923, Robert Newell Broad and Ida Victoria Jarvis were married. They built an imposing
brick home and were blessed with a daughter, Doris and a son, Kenneth.
When war clouds gathered in 1939, Newell again answered the call, this time acting as a training officer with the Hastings
and Prince Edward Regiment. In 1944, after 34 years of military service, Major Robert Newell Broad
finally retired.
Those of us who knew Newell Broad, remember him as a soft-spoken gentleman, faithfully making sure the box stoves
were lit and Hazzard's Church warm for services. We knew nothing of the battle scars he must have borne, both physical
and mental. Robert Newell Broad passed away in 1964, his wife Ida, three years later. They were laid to rest in Hazzard's
Cemetery.
Quiet of manner, small of stature, Newell Broad was a giant when called upon to serve his country.

Major R.N. Broad MC MM Military Cross Military Medal R. Newell Broad (1887-1964) &
(September, 1918) (July, 1916) Ida V. Jarvis, (1894-1967)