Roland Boys Bradford
Encyclopedia
Brigadier General Roland Boys Bradford VC
MC
(22 February 1892 – 30 November 1917) was an English
recipient of the Victoria Cross
, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British
and Commonwealth
forces. His brother was also awarded the VC, making them the only brothers to be awarded the VC during World War I.
Bradford was born on 22 February 1892 to George Bradford. and educated at Epsom College
in Surrey. He had three brothers, James Barker, Thomas Andrews and George Nicholson
. He was 24 years old, and a temporary lieutenant colonel
commanding the 9th Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry
, British Army
during the First World War
. He was awarded the VC for his actions on 1 October 1916 at Eaucourt L'Abbaye, France
; he was the youngest general officer in the British Army
of modern times (and the youngest promoted professionally, earlier young generals were simply due to position). Ten days later, he was killed in action
, at Cambrai
, France
, on 30 November 1917.
His two brothers, Lieutenant Commander George Nicholson Bradford
VC, and Second Lieutenant James Barker Bradford, both died in service. George and Roland were the only brothers to win the VC in World War I.
, England.
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
MC
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
(22 February 1892 – 30 November 1917) was an English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
recipient of the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and Commonwealth
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
forces. His brother was also awarded the VC, making them the only brothers to be awarded the VC during World War I.
Bradford was born on 22 February 1892 to George Bradford. and educated at Epsom College
Epsom College
Epsom College is an independent co-educational public school in Epsom, Surrey, England, for pupils aged 13 to 18. Founded in 1853 to provide support for poor members of the medical profession such as pensioners and orphans , Epsom's long-standing association with medicine was estimated in 1980 as...
in Surrey. He had three brothers, James Barker, Thomas Andrews and George Nicholson
George Nicholson Bradford
Lieutenant Commander George Nicholson Bradford VC was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces...
. He was 24 years old, and a temporary lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
commanding the 9th Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry
Durham Light Infantry
The Durham Light Infantry was an infantry regiment of the British Army from 1881 to 1968. It was formed by the amalgamation of the 68th Regiment of Foot and the 106th Regiment of Foot along with the militia and rifle volunteers of County Durham...
, British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
during the First World War
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. He was awarded the VC for his actions on 1 October 1916 at Eaucourt L'Abbaye, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
VC Citation
Promotion and death
On 20 November 1917, at the age of 25, he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier GeneralBrigadier General
Brigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000...
; he was the youngest general officer in the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
of modern times (and the youngest promoted professionally, earlier young generals were simply due to position). Ten days later, he was killed in action
Killed in action
Killed in action is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces. The United States Department of Defense, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to...
, at Cambrai
Cambrai
Cambrai is a commune in the Nord department in northern France. It is a sub-prefecture of the department.Cambrai is the seat of an archdiocese whose jurisdiction was immense during the Middle Ages. The territory of the Bishopric of Cambrai, roughly coinciding with the shire of Brabant, included...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, on 30 November 1917.
His two brothers, Lieutenant Commander George Nicholson Bradford
George Nicholson Bradford
Lieutenant Commander George Nicholson Bradford VC was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces...
VC, and Second Lieutenant James Barker Bradford, both died in service. George and Roland were the only brothers to win the VC in World War I.
Medal
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Durham Light Infantry Museum and Durham Art Gallery in DurhamDurham
Durham is a city in north east England. It is within the County Durham local government district, and is the county town of the larger ceremonial county...
, England.
External links
- Roland Boys Bradford V.C. M.C. D.L.I. (biography, links to photos, other details on site )