Roland Boys Bradford

Rallied two battalions under fire and secured the objective.

Born at Witton Park, County Durham, in 1892, he joined the Durham Light Infantry and earned the Military Cross early in the First World War. At Eaucourt l’Abbaye on 1 October 1916, Lieutenant Colonel Bradford volunteered to command a hard-hit battalion as well as his own 9th DLI. He went to the foremost lines, rallied the attack and captured and defended the objective, securing the divisional flank. He received the VC and became a brigadier-general in November 1917, aged 25. A shell killed him near Bourlon Wood on 30 November.

Victoria Cross citation: For most conspicuous bravery and good leadership in attack, whereby he saved the situation on the right flank of his Brigade and of the Division. Lieutenant Colonel Bradford’s battalion was in support. A leading battalion having suffered very severe casualties and the Commander wounded, its flank became dangerously exposed at close quarters to the enemy. Raked by machine gun fire, the situation of the battalion was critical. At the request of the wounded Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Bradford asked permission to command the exposed battalion in addition to his own. Permission granted, he at once proceeded to the foremost lines. By his fearless energy under fire of all descriptions, and by skilful leadership of the two battalions, regardless of all danger, he succeeded in rallying the attack, captured and defended the objective, and so secured the flank.