George Nicholson Bradford
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant Commander George Nicholson Bradford VC
(23 April 1887 – 23 April 1918) 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 23 April 1887 to George Bradford. He had three brothers, Thomas Andrews, James Barker and Roland Boys
. He attended Barnard Castle School
. 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.
Two of his brothers, Brigadier-General Roland Boys Bradford
VC, MC, and Second Lieutenant James Barker Bradford MC, both died in service.
, London.
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....
(23 April 1887 – 23 April 1918) 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 23 April 1887 to George Bradford. He had three brothers, Thomas Andrews, James Barker and Roland Boys
Roland Boys Bradford
Brigadier General Roland Boys Bradford VC MC 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 attended Barnard Castle School
Barnard Castle School
Barnard Castle School , is a co-educational independent day and boarding school situated in the market town of Barnard Castle, in the North East of England. It was founded in 1883 as the North Eastern County School, with the name changed to the current one in 1924, and to this day is generally...
. He was 30 years old, and a lieutenant commander
Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander is a commissioned officer rank in many navies. The rank is superior to a lieutenant and subordinate to a commander...
in the Royal Navy 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 Victoria Cross for his actions on 22/23 April 1918 at Zeebrugge
Zeebrugge
Zeebrugge is a village on the coast of Belgium and a subdivision of Bruges, for which it is the modern port. Zeebrugge serves as both the international port of Bruges-Zeebrugge and a seafront resort with hotels, cafés, a marina and a beach.-Location:...
, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, when commanding the naval storming parties embarked in HMS Iris II
HMS Iris II
HMS Iris II was a River Mersey ferry which was commandeered by the Royal Navy to take part in the Zeebrugge Raid of St George's Day 24 April 1918. Iris II along with another Mersey ferry, Daffodil, was towed across the English Channel to Zeebrugge by HMS Vindictive.When the ship neared the...
. He died on 23 April 1918, his 31st birthday, committing the act for which he was awarded the cross.
Two of his brothers, Brigadier-General Roland Boys Bradford
Roland Boys Bradford
Brigadier General Roland Boys Bradford VC MC 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, MC, and Second Lieutenant James Barker Bradford MC, both died in service.
Citation
His VC is on display in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the Imperial War MuseumImperial War Museum
Imperial War Museum is a British national museum organisation with branches at five locations in England, three of which are in London. The museum was founded during the First World War in 1917 and intended as a record of the war effort and sacrifice of Britain and her Empire...
, London.
External links
- Roland Bradford and his brothers (summary, photos, links to further biographical and CWGC details within site)