Current Information:

Age-32

4 Bridge Rd Buildings, Battersea

Born-St Pancras

Bezu-le-Guery Communal Cemetery

The Great Retreat  of the British Amy finally came to an end on 5^th September after thirteen days of continuous falling back whilst fighting rearguard actions from Mons in Belgium to the River Marne. Over the next four days the decisive Battle of the Marne took place and as a result the French army, assisted by the much smaller British Army forced the Germans back to the River Aisne.

1^st Lincolnshire Regt 9^th Brigade, 3^rd Division

The records show that Private Bradley was killed on 8^th  September, but it is more likely that he died the following day when 1^st Lincolnshire were in action near Bezu. 1^st  Lincolnshire had not been engaged on 8^th September, but on the morning of the 9th, 3^rd Division crossed the Marne at Nanteuil and  9Brigade, vanguard of 3^rd Division, continued the advance without difficulty. British columns still approaching the Marne were being shelled by a German battery west and 1^st Lincolnshire were ordered to attack and capture these guns.  C and D Companys worked their way through woods to within 150yds of the guns and then proceeded to shoot down all the German gunners and their escort.  Dashing out to secure the guns they were fired on by their own artillery who mistook them for Germans returning to their abandoned guns.  1^st  Lincolnshire suffered 30 casualties , nearly all from “friendly” fire. That Pte Bradley was buried in Bezu Communal Cemetery, makes it almost certain that he was killed on the 9th.