Memorial

Paving Stones and Memorial Garden Bradford Bros. V.C. 1917 1918 Main Street

Witton Park

Memorial Name: Paving Stones and Memorial Garden Bradford Bros. V.C. 1917 1918 Main Street (W125.10)

NEWMP Ref No.: W125.10

Parish: Witton Park

Original Location:

Main Street, Witton Park.

Which War:

1914-18

Dedication, Creation or Publication date:

1. Roland Bradford’s stone was unveiled 11th March 2017 by Mrs Sue Snowdon, Lord-Lieutenant and Cllr Edward Bell, Leader of Durham County Council.

2. George Bradford’s stone was unveiled April 21st 2018 by Mrs Snowdon and Cllr. Bill Kellett Leader Durham County Council.

Materials Used:

Paving Stones – York Stone Scoutmoor
Metal display board,
Wood seats,
Art Sculpture – Corten Steel

Who Commissioned:

Department for Communities and Local Government

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.

Inscription:

Lieutenant Commander
George Bradford
Royal Navy
22nd-23rd April 1918

Lieutenant Colonel
Roland Bradford
Durham Light Infantry
1st October 1916

Memorial Description:

Memorial Garden, with paved central area and grassed surround and flower beds, contained by hedge.

In a frame are two Victoria Cross Commemorative Paving Stones, each 24 inches x 24 inches x 2 inches deep (61cms x 61cms x 5cms), weight 101 pounds (46kg) with an image of the Victoria Cross depicted at the top with the name, rank and regiment (at the time the VC was awarded) and the date of the action for which the VC was awarded below.

The inscription is in Times Roman capitals.

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 Bradford brothers.

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.

Names:

See above

Notes:

1. 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.

2.. See George N. Bradford’s Every Name a Story entry

3. See Roland B. Bradford’s Every Name a Story entry

External Links:

Northern Echo 25/02/2017
Northern Echo 12/03/2017
Northern Echo 27/04/2018
Lonely Tower Film March 2017
Tyne Tees News 11/03/2017