The AIF Project

Recommendation date: 14 October 1917

Recommendation date: 24 July 1918

'In the operations on 9th October on PASSCHENDAELE RIDGE this man showed great coolness and initiative when advancing with about 14 others towards the second objective. With several others he worked round the flanks of a M.G. position and was instrumental in capturing the gun and crew. The party succeeded in taking 3 M.G.s and 14 prisoners. This man then advanced past the remainder of the party and met a party of 9 enemy. These he killed. He also shot a German officer from whose body he recovered official papers.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 76
Date: 23 May 1918

'On night 15/16th July 1918 east of VILLERS BRETONNEUX on the capture of their objective by the platoon to which Broder belonged, his platoon officer, accompanied by Broder, Cpl Abbott and another man went forward to reconnoitre a trench which they found to be full of Germans. The fourth man was wounded en route, but the remaining three attacked the garrison with bombs, despite heavy rifle fire from an enemy supporting trench in rear, in addition to the active defence of the troops in the trench being attacked. The party of three succeeded in entering the enemy trench, blew up a heavy M.G., killed the gunner and bombed the dugouts until their supply of bombs was exhausted. The Officer and Cpl Abbott were both wounded in this fight. On the way back to our trench Broder found some stick bombs and although under heavy M.G. and snipers' fire succeeded in throwing them into the German trench before continuing his way back to our lines which he had to do on his stomach. During the 16th the enemy carried out 20 stretcher cases and several walking wounded left the trench thus testifying to the splendid work done by this party of three. This man has proved himself to be absolutely fearless and has gained a fine reputation in his company.'