‘The Fighting Bradfords’, four brothers from Witton Park, were recognised as one of the most decorated families of World War 1.
Join local historian Tom Hutchinson at Bishop Auckland Cricket Club (DL14 7JU) on Monday, 23rd March at 7.30pm to discover more about this remarkable family, three of whom were to die in combat within a year of each other. Brothers George and Roland were the only two brothers to receive the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious decoration of the British decorations system, in that 1914-18 War.
There was nothing in their background to suggest they might become such warriors. They had a tough, but middle-class upbringing in the coalfields of County Durham and no immediate military experience in the family.
For many years on 23rd April, St. George’s Day, the following appeared in the memorial column of the Times newspaper:
‘BRADFORD. In memory of Lt. Cdr, George Nicholson Bradford R.N., V.C. Zeebrugge, St. George’s Day, his birthday, 1918, aged 31 and of Lt. James Barker Bradford, M.C., the D.L.I., France 1917 and Brig. Gen. Roland Boys Bradford, V.C., M.C., 2nd. Bn, D.L.I., France aged 25.’
The memorial was placed by Mrs Amy Bradford, mother of the four brothers.
Free to members
Visitors £3 – pay on the door.
