The important Great War D.S.O. group of seven awarded to Colonel Sir Thomas A. Bradford,...

The important Great War D.S.O. group of seven awarded to Colonel Sir Thomas A. Bradford, Durham Light Infantry, the only surviving member of the ‘Bradford Boys’, the most decorated family of the Great War - between them the four brothers were awarded two Victoria Crosses, one Distinguished Service Order, two Military Crosses, and were thrice Mentioned in Despatches

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, with integral top riband bar; 1914-15 Star; British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Coronation 1953, unnamed as issued; together with the related miniature awards, the D.S.O. gold and enamel, lacquered, generally very fine (lot) £5,000-£7,000

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Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, December 2017.

D.S.O. London Gazette 14 January 1916.

M.I.D. London Gazette 1 January 1916.

Sir Thomas Andrews Bradford was born in 1886, the eldest son of George and Amy Bradford, of County Durham, and was educated at the Royal Naval College, Eltham. Commissioned Second Lieutenant, 4th (Volunteer) Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, 1906, he combined soldiering with cricket, playing for Durham between 1909-1914, including a spell as the county’s Captain, and over the five years averaged 39.97 with the bat. At the outbreak of War in 1914 he was Captain of “D” Company, 8th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry Territorial Force. The Durhams left Newcastle on 19 April 1915, arriving at the Front on 24 April, and were straight into action during the Second Battle of Ypres. “A” and “D” Companies of the 8th Battalion were to occupy trenches which had been held by Canadian troops, with a few Canadians remaining to support the Durhams’ firepower with their machine guns. Daylight on 25 April revealed that the German trenches were less than 200 yards away. The trench was badly protected, and throughout the day a heavy bombardment was kept up by the enemy. What made matters worse was that the Durhams had no steel helmets, and so were particularly vulnerable to shrapnel. ‘The scene was one of chaos and destruction, with the screams of frightened and wounded men merging with the ear-shattering noise of exploding shells which rained down upon them. The dwindling number of officers and NCOs vainly tried to make themselves heard above the din. There was nothing the men could do but take this hell that broke over them, cowering in what little shelter the disintegrating breastworks could give. There was no way they could fight back. Some men, a few, cowered against the breastwork, their nerves shattered, unable to control their shaking limbs and the tears streaming down their faces - all they could do was curse, cry, and pray. Men were literally blown out of existence. Those badly wounded tried to crawl to shelter in the dugouts already crowded with Canadian wounded. Comrades tried to stem the flow of blood from ugly, gaping wounds with inadequate shell dressings.’ (Harry Moses, The Fighting Bradfords refers). Despite all this, Bradford continued to lead his men, moving back and forth along the trench with complete disregard for his own safety, and rallied those still standing so effectively that during the course of the day they beat off three Germany infantry attacks. By evening, though, “D” Company had only 30 men left fit to fight; were virtually out of ammunition; and were completely isolated. As the enemy began to move around their left flank, Bradford gave the order to withdraw, moving out through “A” Company’s position on their right. Of the 200 men he had led into the line that morning, 7 officers and 173 NCOs and men had been killed, were wounded, or were missing. On 24 May, the remnants of the Battalion were in an advance, when they found that their path was blocked by wire entanglements on the railway line. Bradford crawled ahead under heavy fire, cut a path through, and his men were able to dash across and take shelter under the railway embankment. He then led on across the line, and despite suffering casualties from enemy fire, managed to relieve the 3rd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. For the rest of the year his company was continuously chosen to lead the Durhams into difficult situations, and the following January he was awarded the D.S.O.

Having been promoted Staff Captain, and then a Brigade Major in 1916, Bradford was wounded, and whilst recovering, he took a regular commission in the York and Lancaster Regiment, and was sent to Fermoy in Ireland as an instructor training young officers. The War over, Bradford left the army, and took up farming back in County Durham. He stood twice for Parliament, losing on both occasions, and in 1939 was knighted ‘for political and public services in the County of Durham’ (London Gazette 2 January 1939). In 1942 he was High Sheriff of County Durham, and throughout his retirement worked for the DLI Regimental Association. He died in 1966, fifty years after his three brothers, George Nicholson Bradford, V.C. (1887-1918), James Barker Bradford, M.C. (1889-1917), and Roland Boys Bradford, V.C., M.C. (1892-1917).

V.C. London Gazette 17 March 1919: Lieutenant-Commander George Nicholson Bradford, Royal Navy
‘For most conspicuous gallantry at Zeebrugge on the night of the 22nd-23rd April, 1918. This officer was in command of the Naval Storming Parties embarked in Iris II. When Iris II proceeded alongside the Mole great difficulty was experienced in placing the parapet anchors owing to the motion of the ship. An attempt was made to land by the scaling ladders before the ship was secured. Lieutenant Claude E. K. Hawkins (late Erin) managed to get one ladder in position and actually reached the parapet, the ladder being crashed to pieces just as he stepped off it. This very gallant young officer was last seen defending himself with his revolver. He was killed on the parapet. Though securing the ship was not part of his duties, Lieutenant-Commander Bradford climbed up the derrick, which carried a large parapet anchor and was rigged out over the port side; during this climb the ship was surging up and down and the derrick crashing on the Mole; waiting his opportunity he jumped with the parapet anchor on to the Mole and placed it in position. Immediately after hooking on the parapet anchor Lieutenant-Commander Bradford was riddled with bullets from machine guns and fell into the sea between the Mole and the ship. Attempts to recover his body failed. Lieutenant-Commander Bradford’s action was one of absolute self-sacrifice; without a moment’s hesitation he went to certain death, recognising that in such action lay the only possible chance of securing Iris II and enabling her storming parties to land.’

M.C. London Gazette 17 April 1917: Temporary Second Lieutenant James Barker Bradford, Durham Light Infantry
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He gallantly led his men into the enemy’s trench, capturing many prisoners and two machine guns. He himself killed three of the enemy. Later, he succeeded in repelling a determined enemy counter-attack.’

V.C. London Gazette 25 November 1916: Lieutenant (temporary Lieutenant-Colonel) Roland Boys Bradford, M.C., Durham Light Infantry
‘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 as close quarters to the enemy. Raked by machine-gun fire, the situation of the Battalion was crucial. At the request of the wounded Commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Bradford asked permission to command t...