Beschreibung:

The important Great War D.S.O. group of seven awarded to Colonel Sir Thomas A. Bradford, Durham Light Infantry, the only surviving member of the ‘Bradford Boys’, the most decorated family of the Great War - between them the four brothers were awarded two Victoria Crosses, one Distinguished Service Order, two Military Crosses, and were thrice Mentioned in Despatches Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, with integral top riband bar; 1914-15 Star (Capt. T.A. Bradford Durh. L.I.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Capt. T.A. Bradford); Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Coronation 1953; together with the related miniature awards, the D.S.O. gold and enamel, lacquered, generally very fine or better (7) £4000-5000 Footnote D.S.O. London Gazette 14 January 1916. M.I.D. London Gazette 1 January 1916 Sir Thomas Andrews Bradford was born in 1886, the eldest son of George and Amy Bradford, of County Durham, and was educated at the Royal Naval College, Eltham. Commissioned Second Lieutenant, 4th (Volunteer) Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, 1906, he combined soldiering with cricket, playing for Durham between 1909-1914, including a spell as the county’s Captain, and over the five years averaged 39.97 with the bat. At the outbreak of War in 1914 he was Captain of “D” Company, 8th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry Territorial Force. The Durhams left Newcastle on 19 April 1915, arriving at the Front on 24 April, and were straight into action during the Second Battle of Ypres. “A” and “D” Companies of the 8th Battalion were to occupy trenches which had been held by Canadian troops, with a few Canadians remaining to support the Durhams’ firepower with their machine guns. Daylight on 25 April revealed that the German trenches were less than 200 yards away. The trench was badly protected, and throughout the day a heavy bombardment was kept up by the enemy. What made matters worse was that the Durhams had no steel helmets, and so were particularly vulnerable to shrapnel. ‘The scene was one of chaos and destruction, with the screams of frightened and wounded men merging with the ear-shattering noise of exploding shells which rained down upon them. The dwindling number of officers and NCOs vainly tried to make themselves heard above the din. There was nothing the men could do but take this hell that broke over them, cowering in what little shelter the disintegrating breastworks could give. There was no way they could fight back. Some men, a few, cowered against the breastwork, their nerves shattered, unable to control their shaking limbs and the tears streaming down their faces - all they could do was curse, cry, and pray. Men were literally blown out of existence. Those badly wounded tried to crawl to shelter in the dugouts already crowded with Canadian wounded. Comrades tried to stem the flow of blood from ugly, gaping wounds with inadequate shell dressings.’ (Harry Moses, The Fighting Bradfords refers). Despite all this, Bradford continued to lead his men, moving back and forth along the trench with complete disregard for his own safety, and rallied those still standing so effectively that during the course of the day they beat off three Germany infantry attacks. By evening, though, “D” Company had only 30 men left fit to fight; were virtually out of ammunition; and were completely isolated. As the enemy began to move around their left flank, Bradford gave the order to withdraw, moving out through “A” Company’s position on their right. Of the 200 men he had led into the line that morning, 7 officers and 173 NCOs and men had been killed, were wounded, or were missing. On 24 May, the remnants of the Battalion were in an advance, when they found that their path was blocked by wire entanglements on the railway line. Bradford crawled ahead under heavy fire, cut a path through, and his men were able to dash across and take shelter under the railway embankment. He then led on across the line, and despite suffer