I never met my 4th cousin. 2 times removed, but I did research all of the following information:
John was born August 1, 1885 in Islington, London, United Kingdom, the son of George John and Julia Leontine (nee Bowen) Broadhead. He was the second eldest of four brothers all who served in World War I: Richard Edwin Bowen (CEF), William Sydney(CEF) and George Richard (British Army)were the other three.
John immigrated to Canada in 1908 and is shown in the 1911 Canada Census living in South Toronto with his widowed Mother and brothers William and Richard.
John married Elizabeth Hurley on June 26, 1911 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Elizabeth had immigrated to Canada in 1910 with a daughter Elizabeth May Hurley born in 1909 in England. John adopted Elizabeth May. John and Elizabeth had three more children before the war Richard (1912), John William (1914) and Elsie (1915). They had a fourth child after he returned from the war Leontine (1920).
John enlisted June 5, 1915 ine the Canadian Overseas Expiditionary service number 404278.
John was assigned to 35 Battalion at the Niagara Camp wher he served until August 17, 1915. He then traveled overseas and on October 25, 1915 he joined 14th Battalion in France where he served until June 24, 1918.
John suffered a Gun Shot Wound to Left thigh May 26, 1916 and after treatment in Hospitals returned to his unit on June 21, 1916.
Johm was promoted to Corporal on March 1, 1917 and to Sergeant on March 23, 1917.
John suffered another wound on April 9, 1917 which was treated in the field. He then suffered "Shell Shock" on April 19, 1917 resulting in him being Hosspitilized.
John was finally assigned as "Permanent Base Sergeant" on July 19, 1917 and given desk duty.
John was struck off service March 20, 1918 and hospitalized and was eventually transfered to hospitals in Canada on September 24, 1918. On August 6, 1918 as per the following image he had been diagnosed with Neuresthesia.
John was discharged from the Army as being "Unfit for Service" in Toronto on December 2, 1918.
John appears in the 1921 Canada Census for Toronto South, with his wife Elizabeth and sons Richard and John and daughters Elizabeth, Elsie and Leontine.
John was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal which were presented to him on December 19, 1922.
There is no imdication in John's Service File that Veteran Affairs had been informed of his death and so far we have been unable to trace any thing after his medals were awarded.