Photo: Dorothy Hall
Memorial
Memorial Garden Bradford Bros. V.C. 1914-18 Main Street
Reference
W125.10
Place
WITTON PARK
Map ref
NZ 208294
Present Location
Main Street, Witton Park.
Which war
1914-18
Dedication, Creation or Publication date
1. Roland Bradford's stone unveiled 11th March 2017 by Mrs Sue Snowdon, Lord-Lieutenant and Cllr Edward Bell, Leader of Durham County Council.
2. George Bradford's stone unveiled April 21st 2018 by Mrs Snowdon and Cllr. Bill Kellett Leader D.C.C.
Memorial Description
Memorial Garden, with paved central area and grassed surround and flower beds, contained by hedge.
In a frame are two VC commemorative paving stone of the standard design, 24 inches square (608mm), featuring a circle inside which is engraved the Victoria Cross and the inscription.
The garden also contains "The Ball and the Bradford Brothers," a 'Brothers in arms' theme sculpted by Ray Lonsdale. It shows a life size statue depicting a workman and a soldier holding a football.
There are two wooden seats and a display panel telling the story of the Bradfords. The panel is in black metal. The raised lettering tells the story of the four Bradford brothers with photos of the two who received the Victoria Cross.
Materials used
Wood seats, Victoria Cross commemorative paving stones, metal display board, Art Scuplture - Corten Steel
Inscription
Lieutenant Commander
George Bradford
Royal Navy
22nd-23rd April 1918
Lieutenant Colonel
Roland Bradford
Durham Light Infantry
1st October 1916
Names
See above
Who commissioned
Department for Communities and Local Government; Durham County Council
How money was raised
The memorial garden and the VC stones' mounts were funded by Durham County Council. It was built using £80,000 of Durham County Council section 106 funds and £22,500 from the neighbourhood budgets of Councillors Rob Yorke and Christine Wilson.
Sculptor, Artist or Designer
Display Panel:- Differentia Design, Queens Hall, Beaumont Street, Hexham, Northumberland, NE46 3LS.
Metal Sculpture by Roy Lonsdale.
Ownership and maintenance
Durham Light Infantry Association
Notes
1. Victoria Cross paving stones were presented by the Department for Communities and Local Government as part of the First World War Centenary commemoration. They were to be unveiled on the centenary of the winning of the Victory Cross award.
2. Efforts to commemorate the Bradfords in the community will not end with the garden with, amongst others, plans to restore the Rose Window in St Paul's Church, which is dedicated to them, the installation of a plaque on Carrwood House, where the quartet were born, and the naming of a local recreation area in their honour. All were planned for 2017.
Newspaper cuttings, photos or archival material
Photos: James Pasby; Lonely Towers; Dorothy Hall
Northern Echo25/02/2017 reports work underway
Northern Echo 12/03/2017 reports unveiling
Journal 12/04/2018 reports story
Northern Echo 27/04/2018 reports story and unveiling
The Fighting Bradfords; Northern Heroes of World War 1 Harry Moses, 2003, Durham County Books, ISBN 1-897585-75-6
External web link
Additional Research documents (click to download)
Research acknowledgements
James Pasby; Lonely Towers; J. Brown
Research In Progress
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Memorial Garden Bradford Bros. V.C. 1914-18 Main Street (W125.10)
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Parish Notes
Every Name A Story