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The medals awarded to the eldest of four North East brothers who all fought with valour in the First World War are now back in his home county.
The Trustees of the Durham Light Infantry (DLI) bought Colonel Sir Thomas Bradford’s medals at auction, including a Distinguished Service Order.
Today, the Trustees presented the medals to Durham County Council’s culture and heritage venue, The Story, for safe keeping. The Story is home to the DLI Collection and Archive, and the acquisition means the medals have been united with other gallantry awards, objects and archives relating to the Bradford brothers. This includes the Victoria Cross presented to Brigadier General Roland Boys Bradford VC and the Death Penny of Second Lieutenant James Barker Bradford MC, both of which are on display in The Story’s free exhibition space.
These items are a record of the Bradford brothers’ heroic actions during the First World War, but they are also a poignant reminder of a family’s tragic loss. Thomas was the only brother to survive the conflict. Both Roland and James, who also served in the DLI, and their other brother, Lieutenant Commander George Nicholson Bradford VC, who served in the Royal Navy, were killed in action.
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Raised in Witton Park, near Bishop Auckland, the ‘Fighting Bradfords’ are believed to be the most decorated family of the First World War, with two Victoria Crosses, one Distinguished Service Order, two Military Crosses and three Mentions in Despatches between them.
All items relating to the Bradford brothers under The Story’s care are available to view in the venue’s Collections Search room by appointment.
Colonel Ted Shields MBE, Chair of Trustees of the DLI, said: “The courage and sacrifice of the Fighting Bradfords is a story of County Durham. When Tommie’s medals came up for auction earlier this year, we knew we had to bring them home. The Trustees are honoured to share Tommie Bradford’s medals with all who visit The Story.”
Cllr Elizabeth Scott, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said: “We are deeply honoured to be looking after Colonel Sir Thomas Bradford’s medals on behalf of the Trustees and the people of County Durham. The Bradford brothers’ story is one of courage and sacrifice. It speaks of the huge human cost of a war that saw so many young people lose their lives, and the heartbreak of the loved ones they left behind.
“Here at The Story, we are committed to preserving these precious medals, objects and documents to ensure future generations can learn about the Bradford brothers and the experiences of other men and women who lived through the First World War.
“The Story’s purpose-built storage rooms have been specially designed to regulate environments and provide the perfect conditions to store the county’s DLI treasures and other historic collections. Our programme of exhibitions, outreach activities and state of the art research facilities, meanwhile, offer new and exciting ways for people to engage with objects in our care.”
Born in 1886, Sir Thomas Andrews Bradford was educated at the Royal Naval College, Eltham and was commissioned Second Lieutenant, 4th (Volunteer) Battalion, DLI, in 1906. An accomplished sportsman, Thomas combined soldiering with cricket, playing for Durham from 1909 to 1914, including a spell as the county’s captain.
At the outbreak of war in, 1914, Thomas was Captain of “D” Company, 8th Battalion, DLI Territorial Force. The Durhams left Newcastle on 19 April 1915, arriving at the Front on 24 April, and were straight into action at the Second Battle of Ypres. On 25April, Thomas rallied and supported his men through heavy bombardment of trenches and huge loss of life. In just one day, 173 men in the company of 200 lost their lives, with Thomas risking his own life to lead others to safety.
During his military service, Thomas was twice mentioned in Despatches and was awarded a Distinguished Service Order. He was later promoted to Staff Captain and then to Brigade Major.
In 1915, Thomas married Rebe Blackett, and, in 1920, the couple had one son, George, James Roland Bradford, named after his three brothers.
Thomas is also remembered for his public and political service in County Durham, which led to him receiving a knighthood in 1939. In 1942, he served as High Sheriff of County Durham.
Throughout his retirement, Thomas worked for the DLI Regimental Association, and he remained a great sporting enthusiast.
Thomas died in 1966, fifty years after his three brothers.
Located in Mount Oswald House on the outskirts of Durham City, The Story contains five historic collections, including six miles of archives covering 900 years of history and the entire DLI Collection and Archive.
It is also the home of the County Registration Service, a permanent exhibition about the history of County Durham and its people, a search and discover research space and a café.
The Story is open every day and entry is free. To find out more, visit www.thestorydurham.org
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