Cemetery: Hermies British Cemetery

Country: France

Area: Pas De Calais

Rank: Brigadier General

Force: Army

Official Number:

Unit: Cdg 186th Inf. Bde. General Staff late 2nd Bn. Durham Light Infantry.

Country of Service: British

Details: V C M C 30th November 1917. Age 25. Son of George Bradford of Darlington Co. Durham.. F.10. An extract from The London Gazette dated the 24th Nov., 1916, records the following:-For most conspicuous bravery and good leadership in attack whereby he saved the situation on the right flank of his Brigade and of the Division. Lieutenant-Colonel Bradford's Battalion was in support. A leading Battalion having suffered very severe casualties and the Commander wounded its flank became dangerously exposed at close quarters to the enemy. Raked by machine-gun fire the situation of the Battalion was critical. At the request of the wounded Commander Lieutenant-Colonel Bradford asked permission to command the exposed Battalion in addition to his own. Permission granted he at once proceeded to the foremost lines. By his fearless energy under fire of all description and his skilful leadership of the two Battalions regardless of all danger he succeeded in rallying the attack, captured and defended the objective, and so secured the flank."

Photograph by Anne Edwards / David Milborrow