Roland Boys Bradford

Roland Boys Bradford
Born 23 February 1892 (1892-02-23)
Witton Park, County Durham, England
Died 30 November 1917 (1917-12-01) (aged 25)
near Canal du Nord, Cambrai, France
Place of burial Hermies British Cemetery
Service/branch  British Army
Years of service 1912 - 1917 †
Rank Brigadier General
Unit Durham Light Infantry
Commands held 186th (2/2nd West Riding) Brigade
Battles/wars World War I
Battle of the Somme
Battle of Cambrai
Awards Victoria Cross
Military Cross
Relations

Brigadier General Roland Boys Bradford VC MC (23 February 1892 – 30 November 1917) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. His brother was also awarded the VC, making them the only brothers to be awarded the VC during World War I.

Early life

Bradford was born on 23 February 1892 to George Bradford.[1] and educated at Epsom College[2][3] in Surrey. He had three brothers, James Barker, Thomas Andrews and George Nicholson.[4]

Military service

He was 25 years old, and a temporary lieutenant colonel commanding the 9th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, British Army during the First World War. He was awarded the VC for his actions on 1 October 1916 at Eaucourt L'Abbaye, France

VC Citation

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.

— The London Gazette, 24 November 1916[5]

Promotion and death

On 13 November 1917, at the age of 25, he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General;[6] he was the youngest general officer in the British Army of modern times (and the youngest promoted professionally, earlier young generals were simply due to position). Ten days later, he was killed in action, at Cambrai, France, on 30 November 1917.

Two of his brothers, Lieutenant Commander George Nicholson Bradford VC, Royal Navy, and Second Lieutenant James Barker Bradford MC Durham Light Infantry, both died in service.[4] George and Roland were the only brothers to win the VC in World War I. His third brother, Colonel Sir Thomas Bradford DSO Durham Light Infantry, became honorary treasurer of Durham University and High Sheriff of County Durham in 1941.

Bradford's grave at Hermies British Cemetery

Medal

His Victoria Cross and Military Cross are displayed at the Durham Light Infantry Museum and Durham Art Gallery in Durham, England.

References

  1. ↑ Bradford, Roland Boys, Commonwealth War Graves Commission
  2. ↑ http://www.epsomandewellhistoryexplorer.org.uk/EpsomCollegeSupple.html
  3. ↑ "Roland Boys Bradford - DLI". DLI Museum. Retrieved 7 November 2012. Born at Witton Park, Durham on 23 February 1892, he was educated at Darlington Grammar School and Epsom College. He was commissioned in the 5th (TF) Battalion, Durham Light Infantry (DLI) in 1910 and joined the Regular 2nd Battalion, DLI in 1912 as a 2nd lieutenant. His career during the Great War was remarkable, rising from lieutenant in 1914 to Brigadier General in 1917, when at 25 years old he was the youngest General in the British Army. During the War he served with 2 DLI, 7 DLI and commanded the 9th Battalion, DLI for over a year. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery at Eaucourt l'Abbaye on 1 October 1916, whilst commanding 9 DLI.
  4. 1 2 Bradford, George Nicholson, Commonwealth War Graves Commission
  5. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 29836. p. 11525. 25 November 1916. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
  6. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 30438. p. 13329. 20 December 1917.

External links

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