Pilot's grave in Suffolk still tended

Nearly 70 years after World War 2 pilot Sergeant John Duncan Broadley was killed in action, his Dunedin family are delighted to know he is still cared about by a woman living in a small rural village in Suffolk, England.

Sally Higgins (51), a teaching assistant at a school in Ringshall, continues to put flowers on Sgt "Jack" Broadley's grave, which is among several Commonwealth graves at her church - St Catherine's - which dates from the 12th century.

"Being involved with the church, I am aware that there are several war graves, including Commonwealth graves," Mrs Higgins said.

"So, whenever I am doing the church flowers, or if it is a special occasion such as Christmas, Remembrance Day, Anzac Day, or birthday, I will put flowers on the graves."

Mrs Higgins said she discovered, through the Commonwealth War Grave Commission website, Sgt Broadley was from Dunedin and served with the Royal Air Force 99 Squadron.

The information also showed he was killed on September 29, 1941, aged 23.

She has been visiting the Commonwealth graves at the cemetery about twice a month for many years.

Many people asked her why she did it.

She was very clear about her reasons.

"Why not? After travelling to Australia and New Zealand, I realise how far the boys are from home.

"It makes you grateful that people from so far away sacrificed themselves for our freedom, and I am aware that there is little chance of anyone else visiting them.

"It may sound daft, but that's the way I feel."

Mrs Higgins is trying to contact relatives in New Zealand to see if they would like photos of the grave.

A quick search by the ODT in the telephone directory found Sgt Broadley's only surviving sibling - his brother Fred (97), who still lives in Dunedin.

He believed his brother was a co-pilot on his first bombing raid over Frankfurt, Germany, in a Wellington bomber which took substantial enemy fire from the ground and from German night fighters.

The plane, with six crew, limped back towards its base in Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire, but crash-landed not long after crossing the England coastline, breaking up and bursting into flames.

Four crew were instantly killed and two died later.

Mr Broadley described his brother as "a fairly bright chap" who was an analyst at the metal works in Dunedin before enlisting.

"It's nice to know where he is and that someone still looks after him."

Sgt Broadley, who grew up in Sawyers Bay left a wife, Nessie, and a son, Jack. Mrs Broadley later remarried and lives in Tauranga. Both mother and son have visited the gravesite.

john.lewis@odt.co.nz