Edward Kinder Bradbury

Edward Kinder Bradbury
16 August 1881 – 1 September 1914 (aged 33)
VCEdwardKinderBradbury.jpg
Place of birth Altringham, Cheshire
Place of death Néry, France
Resting place Nery Communal Cemetery
Allegiance  United Kingdom
Service/branch Flag of the British Army.svg British Army
Years of service 1900-1914
Rank Captain
Unit Royal Horse Artillery
Battles/wars World War I
Awards Victoria Cross

Captain Edward Kinder Bradbury VC (16 August 1881 – 1 September 1914) was an officer in the British Army during the First World War. As second-in-command of L Battery, Royal Horse Artillery he led the battery during an engagement at Néry during the Retreat from Mons on 1 September 1914, where he was killed in action. For his gallantry at Néry, he and two other men were awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest British award for gallantry in the face of the enemy.

Contents

Early career

Born in August 1881, Bradbury attended the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, as a cadet, passing out to join the Royal Artillery as a second lieutenant in 1900.[1] He was promoted to full lieutenant in April 1901,[2] and in January 1902 was seconded for service with the Imperial Yeomanry in the South African War,[3] serving as a lieutenant with the 31st Battalion.[4] He returned from the secondment in November that year,[5] and was posted to 127th Battery RFA.[6]

In early 1905 he was seconded to duties with the Foreign Office,[7] during which time he appears to have served with the King's African Rifles.[6] He returned to a regimental post in 1907,[8] received his captaincy in 1910,[9][10] and became an adjutant in February 1912,[11] returning to normal duties in November.[12]

Bradbury rode his horse "Sloppy Weather" in the 1909 Royal Artillery Gold Cup, coming third;[13] another of his horses, "Hot Water", competed in the 1911 Punchestown Festival, again coming third.[14]

First World War

The Néry gun
Captain Bradbury VC

He was 33 years old, and a Captain in the 'L' Bty., Royal Horse Artillery (Royal Artillery), British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 1 September 1914 at Néry, France, during a fierce attack by the enemy, when all the officers of 'L' Battery were either killed or wounded, Captain Bradbury along with Sergeant Major Dorrell and Sergeant Nelson, continued the lone resistance against the German attack. Although having had one leg taken off by a shell while fetching ammunition, Bradbury continued to direct the fire of the battery until he died. [15]

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Imperial War Museum (London, England).


References

  1. ^ London Gazette: no. 27189, p. 2845, 4 May 1900. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
  2. ^ London Gazette: no. 27307, p. 2777, 23 April 1901. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
  3. ^ London Gazette: no. 27413, p. 1538, 4 March 1902. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
  4. ^ London Gazette: no. 27415, p. 1731, 11 March 1902. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
  5. ^ London Gazette: no. 27516, p. 307, 16 Janaury 1903. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
  6. ^ a b "Naval and Military Intelligence", p. 10, The Times, 31 December 1904
  7. ^ London Gazette: no. 27766, p. 1280, 21 February 1905. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
  8. ^ London Gazette: no. 28009, p. 2273, 2 April 1907. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
  9. ^ London Gazette: no. 28340, p. 1209, 18 February 1910. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
  10. ^ London Gazette: no. 28346, p. 1683, 8 March 1910. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
  11. ^ London Gazette: no. 28581, p. 1173, 16 February 1912. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
  12. ^ London Gazette: no. 28668, p. 9216, 4 May 1900. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
  13. ^ Article in The Times, p. 17, 19 April 1909
  14. ^ Article in The Times, p. 16, 27 April 1911
  15. ^ CWGC entry

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