In Hermies British Cemetery, France is the Commonwealth War Grave of Brigadier General Roland Boys Bradford, V.C., M.C., MiD., Commanding 186th Infantry Brigade late 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry, who died 30/11/1917.
He was the son of George Bradford, of Darlington, Co. Durham.
The Newcastle Weekly Chronicle 08/12/1917, in announcing his death reports:
Brigadier General Bradford was the youngest son of the late Mr. George Bradford and Mrs. Bradford, of Millbank, Darlington. His father was for many years mining engineer in connection with the Stobart Collieries in the Bishop Auckland district, and the deceased was born at Etherley, but while still at school came with his parents to reside at Darlington.
His education was received at the Darlington Grammar School, Mr. Groves’ Preparatory School and Epsom College. In youth his inclination led him to join the Church Lads’ Brigade, and after experience as an officer of the local Territorials, he chose the profession of arms as his life’s occupation, entering the Regular Army in 1912 as second-lieutenant in the Durham Light Infantry. It was as lieutenant that he went overseas with the First Expeditionary Force in 1914, and his rapid rise in rank is an instance of the quick recognition which military genius has received in the present war. He won the Victoria Cross in November of last year.
An extract from The London Gazette 24/11/1916 records the following:-
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 Newcastle Daily Chronicle 27/11/1916 reports:
Military Honours
Seven more Victoria Crosses
Gallantry of Lt.Col. Bradford, D.L.I.
His Majesty has been graciously pleased to confer the Victoria Cross on the under-mentioned officers and non-commissioned officers and men:
Lt.Col. Roland Boys Bradford, D.L.I.
Lieut. (temporary Lt.Col.) 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. Lt.Col. Bradford’s battalion was in support. A leading battalion having suffered very severe casualties, and the commander being wounded, its flank became dangerously exposed at close quarters to the enemy. Raked by machine gun fire, the situation of the battalion became critical. At the request of the wounded commander, Lt.Col. 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, captures and defenced the objective and so secured the flank.”
His promotion to Brigadier General came about a month before he death.
His brothers, James Barker Bradford and George Nicholson Bradford also died on service. Another brother, Colonel Sir Thomas Bradford, survived.
The <i>Journal</i> 21/03/2025 reports that all the Bradford Brothers’ medals were bought by the Durham Light Infantry to be displayed in The Story to tell of the most decorated family in the Great War.
Roland Boys Bradford is remembered at Darlington on D40.034, D40.060, D40.069, D40.072 and D40.102, at Durham on D47.071, at Witton Park on W125.09 and W125.10 and in the D.L.I. Book of Remembrance page 324.
