George Bradford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George Nicholson Bradford
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| Born | 23 April 1887 Witton Park, County Durham, England |
| Died | 23 April 1918 (aged 31) Zeebrugge, Belgium |
| Buried |
Blankenberge Town Cemetery, Blankenberge
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| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
Royal Navy |
| Years of service | 1902–1918 |
| Rank | Lieutenant commander |
| Commands held | HMS Iris II |
| Battles/wars | First World War |
| Awards | Victoria Cross Mentioned in dispatches |
| Relations | Brigadier General Roland Bradford (brother) |
Lieutenant Commander George Nicholson Bradford was a brave officer in the Royal Navy. He received the Victoria Cross, which is the highest award for courage in battle given to British and Commonwealth soldiers. George was born on April 23, 1887, and sadly died on April 23, 1918. His brother, Roland Bradford, also earned the Victoria Cross. This makes them the only brothers to receive this special medal during the First World War.
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Early Life of George Bradford
George Nicholson Bradford was born in Witton Park, County Durham, England. His birthday was April 23, 1887. His parents were George Bradford and Amy Marion Andrews. He had three brothers: Thomas Andrews, James Barker, and Roland Boys. All of his brothers also served in the First World War. George went to school at Barnard Castle School.
Bravery in the First World War
During the First World War, George Bradford was a lieutenant commander in the Royal Navy. He was 30 years old when he showed incredible bravery. This happened on April 22-23, 1918, during a battle in Zeebrugge, Belgium.
George was in charge of the naval attack teams on a ship called HMS Iris II. Their mission was very dangerous. They needed to secure their ship to a long wall, called a mole, so their teams could land.
The Zeebrugge Raid
It was very hard to attach the ship to the mole because the ship was moving a lot. Another officer, Lieutenant Claude E. K. Hawkings, tried to use a ladder to get onto the mole. He made it, but his ladder was destroyed right after. He was last seen fighting bravely and was killed.
Even though it wasn't his main job, Lieutenant Commander Bradford knew the ship had to be secured. He climbed up a tall crane-like structure called a derrick. This derrick held a large anchor used to hook onto the mole. The ship was still moving up and down, and the derrick kept hitting the mole.
George waited for the perfect moment. He then jumped onto the mole with the heavy anchor and put it in place. Right after he hooked the anchor, enemy machine guns fired at him. He was hit many times and fell into the sea between the mole and the ship. Attempts to find his body were unsuccessful.
George's Sacrifice
George Nicholson Bradford's action was a true act of self-sacrifice. He knew he was going to certain death. But he also knew that this was the only way to secure the ship HMS Iris II. His bravery allowed his attack teams a chance to land. He died on April 23, 1918, which was his 31st birthday.
Two of his brothers, Brigadier General Roland Bradford and Second Lieutenant James Barker Bradford, also died while serving in the war. George's Victoria Cross medal is now on display. You can see it at the Lord Ashcroft Gallery in the Imperial War Museum in London.
