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| {{Nocitations|date=April 2008}} | {{Nocitations|date=April 2008}} | ||
| '''George Nicholson Bradford''' ] ( |
'''George Nicholson Bradford''' ] (1887 &ndash 1918) was an ]. For his actions in Zeebrugge, he was recipient of the ], the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to ] and ] forces. | ||
| ==Biography== | |||
| He was 30 years old, and a ] in the ] during the ] when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC. | |||
| Bradford was born on 23 April 1887 to George Bradford.<ref name=cwgc1>, Commonwealth War Graves Commission</ref> He had two brothers, James Barker and ].<ref name=cwgc2>, Commonwealth War Graves Commission</ref> He was 30 years old, and a ] in the Royal Navy during the ]. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on 22/23 April 1918 at ], ], when commanding the naval storming parties embarked in ]. He died on 23 April 1918, his 31st birthday, committing the act for which he was awarded the cross. | |||
| His two brothers, Brigadier General ] VC, MC, and Second Lieutenant James Barker Bradford, both died in service.<ref name=cwgc2/> | |||
| On 22/23 April 1918 at ], ], Lieutenant-Commander Bradford commanding the naval storming parties embarked in ] found there was great difficulty in placing the parapet anchors when the ship came alongside the Mole. Although securing the ship was not part of his duties, the lieutenant-commander climbed a derrick which was projecting out over the Mole and, under heavy fire, with the derrick crashing against the Mole because of the violent tossing of the ship, he picked his moment and jumped with the anchor. He had just placed it in position when he was killed. | |||
| ===Citation=== | |||
| Brother of Brigadier General ] VC, MC. | |||
| {{Quote|''For most conspicuous gallantry at Zeebrugge on the night of the 22nd-23rd April, 1918. This Officer was in command of the Naval Storming Parties embarked in '' Iris II.'' When '' Iris II '' proceeded alongside the Mole great difficulty was experienced in placing the parapet anchors owing to the motion of the ship. An attempt was made to land by the scaling ladders before the ship was secured. Lieutenant Claude E. K. Hawkings (late '' Erin '') managed to, get one ladder in position and actually reached the parapet, the ladder being crushed to pieces just as he stepped off it. This very gallant young officer was last seen defending himself with his revolver. He was killed on the parapet. Though securing the ship was not part of his duties, Lieut.-Commander Bradford climbed up the derrick, which carried a large parapet anchor and was rigged out over the port side; during this climb the ship was surging up and down and the derrick crashing on the Mole. Waiting his opportunity he jumped with the parapet anchor on to the Mole and placed it in position. Immediately after hooking on the parapet anchor Lieut.-Commander Bradford was riddled with bullets from machine guns and fell into the sea between the Mole and the ship. Attempts to recover his body failed. Lieut.-Commander Bradford''s action was one of absolute self-sacrifice; without a moment''s hesitation he went to certain death, recognising that in such action lay the only possible chance of securing '' Iris II '' and enabling her storming parties to land.''|], No. 31236, 14 March 1919<ref name=cwgc2/>}} | |||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
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| *] (This England, 1997) | *] (This England, 1997) | ||
| *] (Stephen Snelling, 2002) | *] (Stephen Snelling, 2002) | ||
| {{Reflist}} | |||
| ==External links== | ==External links== | ||
| * | * | ||
Revision as of 04:48, 13 February 2009
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George Nicholson Bradford VC (1887 &ndash 1918) was an British naval officer. For his actions in Zeebrugge, he was 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.
Biography
Bradford was born on 23 April 1887 to George Bradford. He had two brothers, James Barker and Roland Boys. He was 30 years old, and a lieutenant commander in the Royal Navy during the First World War. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on 22/23 April 1918 at Zeebrugge, Belgium, when commanding the naval storming parties embarked in HMS Iris II. He died on 23 April 1918, his 31st birthday, committing the act for which he was awarded the cross.
His two brothers, Brigadier General Roland Boys Bradford VC, MC, and Second Lieutenant James Barker Bradford, both died in service.
Citation
For most conspicuous gallantry at Zeebrugge on the night of the 22nd-23rd April, 1918. This Officer was in command of the Naval Storming Parties embarked in Iris II. When Iris II proceeded alongside the Mole great difficulty was experienced in placing the parapet anchors owing to the motion of the ship. An attempt was made to land by the scaling ladders before the ship was secured. Lieutenant Claude E. K. Hawkings (late Erin ) managed to, get one ladder in position and actually reached the parapet, the ladder being crushed to pieces just as he stepped off it. This very gallant young officer was last seen defending himself with his revolver. He was killed on the parapet. Though securing the ship was not part of his duties, Lieut.-Commander Bradford climbed up the derrick, which carried a large parapet anchor and was rigged out over the port side; during this climb the ship was surging up and down and the derrick crashing on the Mole. Waiting his opportunity he jumped with the parapet anchor on to the Mole and placed it in position. Immediately after hooking on the parapet anchor Lieut.-Commander Bradford was riddled with bullets from machine guns and fell into the sea between the Mole and the ship. Attempts to recover his body failed. Lieut.-Commander Bradfords action was one of absolute self-sacrifice; without a moments hesitation he went to certain death, recognising that in such action lay the only possible chance of securing Iris II and enabling her storming parties to land.
— The London Gazette, No. 31236, 14 March 1919
References
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
- VCs of the First World War - The Naval VCs (Stephen Snelling, 2002)
- Bradford, Roland Boys, Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- ^ Bradford, George Nicholson, Commonwealth War Graves Commission
External links
- The Raid on Zeebrugge
- Roland Bradford and his brothers (summary, photos, links to further biographical and CWGC details within site)