Ralph Royds's Story.
Birkenhead News 26 May 19172nd LIEUT. RALPH R. BROCKLEBANK.
DIES FROM WOUNDS.
It is now officially recorded that Second Lieut. Ralph R. Brocklebank, the son of Major R. Eric R. Brocklebank, and Mrs. Constance A. Brocklebank, has died from wounds received in action. His parents reside at Poulton Road, Bebington, and their many friends will sympathise with them in the death of their gallant officer son, who was but nineteen years of age.
Second-Lieut. Brocklebank received his education at Cordwalles, Eton, and finally Sandhurst. He was captain of the boat at Eton, and won the sculling and pairs competitions. He also was a swimmer of no mean ability, and secured a name for himself in this capacity. He rowed second for Eton and played in the rugby football team, and while at Sandhurst he kept wicket. He was gazetted at the end of December, 1915, and went to France in January with his regiment, the Royal Welsh Fusiliers.
During very heavy fighting he received a very serious wound, which necessitated the amputation of his leg. Subsequently he died from shock.
The Brigadier-General wrote of him in a letter to his parents : “He did most splendid and gallant work in the severe fighting the brigade has been engaged in. He was wounded fighting almost hand-hand in the village.”