The Broadbent Library

Tel Giffnock 787
‘Almure’
22 Golf Road
Clarkston
By Glasgow
May 20th 1943

Dear Marion [sic]
I was extremely pleased to get your letter. I must say that it set me thinking for a short time. I have not seen those pictures for years, but I soon remembered. I think the ones that you refer to are framed in narrow black and gold and your Grandma [Emily] had them in her sitting room.

I copied them from the original steel engravings when I was about 12 or 13 years old and accurately[?] put in all the detail under the official eye of my dad. They represent the true[?] rigging of the ships of that date and also represent different engagements during the Syrian war when we were helping Turkey against the Egyptians. My father was in the Royal Marines for 25 years. He joined as a boy but was pensioned off after your Grandmother was born [Emily was born c.1862 and therefore Thomas Broadbent would have joined the Royal Marines c.1837]. He fought all through the campaign and I have his medal for it, the Syrian Medal Queen Victoria 1842 and also the Turkish medal.

One of the pictures represents the blowing up of the Ammunition and St Jon de Acre at Sidon. In this adventure the Marines landed from boats into water up to their necks ashore and waded ashore under a terrific fire from all the forts and …… and carry their rifles above their heads. They took the place with their bayonets and then blew up the magazine as seen in the picture. The other pictures represent other parts of the Bombardment. I think one of the pictures is a view of Valletta the capital of Malta with a four decker ship laying in the bay. It is so many years since I saw those drawings that I have almost forgotten them but if there is any one you are interested in give me particulars and I may remember it.

My father was very proud of these drawings as they showed one of the many engagements he was in and also as I a boy drew them.

There was a Pritchard [?] steel engraving of Admiral Sir George Seymour. It was signed by the Admiral himself and given to my father. My father had sailed with him round Cape Horn when Seymour was a Midshipman and was in various ships with him. He thought the world of him.

My elder son your Uncle Eddie [in fact Miriam’s mother’s cousin] is serving in the Navy. He …… as Petty Officer. He is one of the skilled ratings. His job is to repair and look after all optical instruments such as ….. periscopes, gun sights, telescopes and so on. He was at Whale Island for 24 months and various places and now at Greenock for a time.

I think you will like the WRNS as I believe that if you have had any one in the Navy or Marines you get a preference although as regards my father it is a long while back. I was 78 on May 5th.

My daughter Muriel whom I am living with her husband is in the Royal Scarboroughs [?] he was shifted out East in April. We have had letters saying that he is well.

I hope that you are well and will get into the WRNS and by what I hear it is …..

Hope your mother and father are both well and that you have had good news from Teddy [Edward Lambert, Miriam’s uncle?].

I am keeping very fit but my eyesight is bad. Anything I can do let me know.

With my best wishes
Yours very sincerely
E.O. Broadbent