Rose window Bradford V.C. 1917 St. Paul

St. Paul’s Church, Main Street. Nave. (Closed February 2021)

1914-18

1992

Brass plaque.

Patricia Hudson Moses

1992 plaque

The Rose Window was originally given in memory of
Brigadier General Roland Boys Bradford, V.C., M.C.
who at the age of 23 became the youngest Brigadier General
in the British Army. He was born in Carrwood House,
Witton Park and killed at the Battle of Cambrai in Nov. 1917.
The window was destroyed by vandalism and later redesigned by
Patricia Hudson Moses in 1992 along with the two porch windows.
This design incorporates the association of the
Durham Light Infantry with the village, and is
dedicated to the memory of Rosetta Heslop.
It was given by her son Dennis.

Rose window.

A plaque tells the story.

1. The Northern Echo 08/03/2017 reports:-
An historic church window, which was in danger of falling out, has been repaired. Durham County Councillors Rob Yorke and Christine Wilson donated a total of L4,875 from their neighbourhood budgets after hearing of the plight at St Paul’s Church, in Witton Park, near Bishop Auckland. The rose window was originally given in memory of Roland Boys Bradford, of Witton Park, who with his brother George are the only siblings awarded the Victoria Cross during the First World War. It was destroyed by vandalism and in 1992 was replaced. The design incorporates the association of the Durham Light Infantry with the village and is dedicated to the memory of Rosetta Heslop. Churchwarden Elizabeth Hill said: “We thought we were going to have to take it down. We had put perspex layer on to protect it but that had become discoloured and you couldn’t see the colours in the light properly.” A further £500 was also given from the Church Buildings Panel.

2.    See his Every Name a Story entry

Photos of plaque and replacement window: Dale Daniel; James Pasby

The Monumental Brasses of County Durham William Lack, H. Martin Stuchfield and Philip Whittemore 2002 ISBN 095 4327101

Dorothy Hall;
Alan Vickers;
Dale Daniel;
John and Mavis Dixon

If you are researching this memorial please contact 2014@newmp.org.uk