Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Brotheridge a Midland Railway inspector, born 1858 in Tirley, Gloucestershire and his wife Lavinia Brotheridge (nee Stilger, married in the 2nd quarter of 1887 in the Aston, Warwickshire district), born 1863 in Southam, Warwickshire. Austin John was born in 1892 in Ashchurch, Gloucestershire, his siblings were, Evelyn, born 1888 and Minnie Lavinia, born 1891, the latter two siblings were both born in Birmingham, Warwickshire, Leonard William, born 1894 in Ashchurch, Reginald, born 1896 and Annie Frances, born 1898, the latter two siblings were both born in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire and Ethel Maud, born 1900 in Kettering, Northamptonshire, in March 1901 the family home was at 36, Broadway, Kettering. In April 1911 Austin was employed as a Midland Railway clerk and was residing in the family home at 103, Thorpe Road, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, together with his father, a Midland Railway inspector, his mother and siblings, Leonard, Reginald, Minnie, Annie and Ethel.
Austin first entered the theatre of war in France on the 30th June 1915 with the 1/5th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, subsequently being transferred to the 1/4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals.
On Friday July 13th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR” – MELTONIANS WOUNDED. Pte. Austin Brotheridge, of the Leicester’s (eldest son of Mr and Mrs John Brotheridge, Egerton Road, Melton Mowbray), has been wounded in the back, a piece of shrapnel entering just below the shoulder bone. It occurred on June 27th, or just two years to the day he went out to the front. Pte. Brotheridge is at present in hospital in France, but expects to be brought over to England shortly. His brother, Pte. Leonard Brotheridge, was wounded in the left hand on June 6th, but is still on duty. He has been twice previously wounded.
The War Diary records: 17 Oct-18 - Battalion is part of major operation attacks at 05.20. 5th Battalion LINCOLNSHIRE REGIMENT on left and 8th SHERWOOD FORESTERS on right. Battalion carried all objectives REGNICOURT being taken in addition and aided by the SHERWOODS. Battalion relieved in front line by the 5th Battalion LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT moves back to old German front line.
On Friday November 1st 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL SOLDIERS KILLED. – PTE. A. BROTHERIDGE. (A photograph accompanied the article). News has reached Mr. and Mrs. John Brotheridge, 3, Egerton-road, Melton Mowbray, that their eldest son, Pte. Austin Brotheridge, Leicester’s, was killed in action on October 17th, the information being contained in the following letter from the chaplain: “October 21st, 1918. Dear Mrs. Brotheridge. – I regret very much to inform you of the death of your son. A shell dropped in the midst of a Lewis gun team, and either killed or wounded all of them in it. This happened in the attack we made on the 17th of this month. The body of your son was brought down and buried by me in the British cemetery at ---. A cross is being erected to mark the spot. Like his Master, your son gave his life for his friends. May this thought help to comfort you in your terrible loss. Believe me, yours sincerely, (Rev.) R. K. Davis, C.F.” Deceased who was 20 years of age this month joined the colours in November 1914, and has been out in France since June, 1915, except for eight months last year when he was in hospital wounded. Prior to that he was in the Midland Railway engineers’ office, Leicester. His brother Pte. Leonard Brotheridge, also of the Leicester’s, has just come out of hospital after being wounded for a third time, and his younger brother, Corpl. Reginald Brotheridge, is still serving in France.
And in the same issue under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – THANKS. Mr. and Mrs. John Brotheridge, 3, Egerton-road, Melton Mowbray, desire to return their sincere thanks for the numerous expressions of sympathy which they have received in respect to the loss of their son, Pte. Austin Brotheridge, Leicestershire Regiment, killed in action.